Hay Magpies captain-coach, Phil Crosby, will be looking for a full 80 minutes from his squad as it looks to ensure its place in the top five with a win against Bidgee Hurricanes at Yanco in Group 20 today (Sunday, August 10). In recent times, Hay has failed to capitalise on strong positions against the leading contenders. We cant seem to play for 80 minutes and have bad 15 minute spells in both halves, Crosby reflected. I think when we do go in front against the top teams like Lakes and Waratahs we panic and go away from what we have been doing well at the start. The school-teacher is confident the team will learn how to win those games. I think it comes form experience but the more we have competitive games like last week well improve coming into play-offs. Although the Magpies are in the five, Crosby thinks it will be important they win today. We are going to game against Bidgee needing a win to take some pressure off us in the last couple of games. He thinks wont be easy against the eighth-place Hurricanes. Bidgee have been playing well and seem to have a couple of new players as well. We know it will be a tough game as any away game for us is as our form is much better at home. We have a couple of players missing with work commitments as well which does not help either. I think whoever wins it will be very close and a tough game. The teams fitness and hence mobility has helped it offset its size disadvantage: We have done well working the bigger sides around the park. That mobility has resulted in a policy of getting the ball out to the centres as much as possible where Jake Whitehead has been one of the Magpies best, along with hooker, Kurtis Jackson (son of former Great Britain rake Lee) hes been great all year and prop Simon Parr. Over at Lake Cargelligo Sportsground, defending premiers, TULLIBIGEAL-LAKE CARGELLIGO UNITED will be looking to return to its 2013 form when it plays LEETON. Sharks captain-coach, Brent Pike, says while the team were fourth as opposed to second this year at the corresponding stage, I dont think were playing as good football as last year but I think we are yet to hit our straps, The Temora junior made the ominous prediction while conceding Weve struggled with completing our sets & getting the basics right, so weve been addressing this at training. Pike said that was the reason for the loss to West Wyalong: We let them take control of the game early, we werent completing our sets, they had us on the back foot all game and we just couldnt match them. Its that slow start which Pike says he wants eliminated against Leeton. We will need to start well, weve seen Leeton can put the points on teams quickly so we will have to be on our game and stick to our plan. Well need to watch Clint Halden as hes in good form, Shayne Roden up front and Dean Pauling on the wing. They will be a tough side to beat on Sunday. I asked Brent to nominate the guys he was most pleased with and why: Jayden Kelly (fullback/5/8). At fullback he excels with the freedom to pick hes time to run & have impact on the game, smart footballer who can read the game well & find the oppositions weak links. Sam Macaulay (utility/hooker). Young and tough, damaging in attack from dummy half, excellent in defence. Dean Hague (utility) Always reliable & puts hes body on the line, plays well above hes weight always giving 100%. In his second year as coach of the combine, its not hard to tell its a role he enjoys. Each player has their own strengths and are a great bunch of fellas, Together we will hopefully come away with a win. The boys are still hungry for a back to back grand final so that is the fuel in our bellies. Meanwhile, West Wyalong has a potentially awkward home game against sixth place Yenda who will be eager to sneak into the final five with an upset win, while Darlington Point-Coleambally travels into Griffith to play Black Whites, while Waratahs are sitting back, enjoying the bye.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 06:00:33 +0000
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