Yenda Blueheelers first grade side ran away in the second half to cap off a tough day for Hay Magpies at Hay Park on Sunday. The visitors defeated Hay in all four grades.

As a sign of respect both sides lined up and the crowd fell quiet for a minute’s silence for the victim’s of last week’s Bondi tragedy.

The first-grade side matched Yenda as the two teams traded tries in the first half. The Blueheelers score two early tries before Toby Crighton crossed to get Hay on the board. 

Yenda crashed over for another try before Hay hit back – Winger Anare (Rex) Malanicagi broke the Yenda defensive line and Saimoni Lewaya scored on the next play.

Hay’s Zane Gash left the field in a mystery walk off half-way through the first stanza which was a shame for Hay – he had already played an outstanding game in reserve grade.

Speedy winger Jack Miller scored next for Hay on the back of a solid work rate by forwards Dylan Lund, Sion Parr and Crighton. Team stalwarts Toby Crighton and Jock Crighton were dependable as always and Jack Stark adds pace and size to the side.

Hay went into the half-time break trailing 14 points to 22 but from the restart the game flowed in Yenda’s favour. 

Handling errors by Hay and a heavy penalty count against the Magpies caused frustration on and off the field in the second. At one point the Referee Brill stopped play and spoke to three Hay fans who’s comments from the grandstand were received loud and clear on the paddock.

Lewaya and Yenda’s number 16 were sin-binned with four minutes of play remaining, apparently for a wrestle on the ground that became heated.

Yenda scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, to well and truly seal the win, leaving Hay still chasing a win for the season.

Final score: Hay 14 (Tries: Toby Crighton, Saimoni Lewaya, Jack Miller. Goal Ben Taylor) Yenda: 42

In the reserve grade match Brad Pocock and Zane Gash were outstanding however repeat handling errors allowed Yenda to take the upper hand and steal the win. New recruit Matt White served Hay well and should be a welcome inclusion into the side.

Yenda scored first before Pocock wove across the line and converted his own try to even the scores, but that was the last time Hay was close to the visitors.

Defensively coach James McLean and Jack Morrison led from the front but Hay went int the half-time break down by 12 points.

Hay’s Zac O’Neill was sinbinned but was unable to explain why. Hay later lost Pocock to the bin for backchat. 

A well-placed and paced chip from Shayne Kennedy was regathered by Patty Miller who scored the Magpies final points.

A highlight of the match was Brad Callaghan’s back-to-back tackling efforts on the wing, which brought a roar of approval from the crowd, followed by a weaving run that had Yenda back pedaling.

Final score: Hay 10 (Tries: Brad Pocock, Patty Miller. Goal: Brad Pocock) Yenda 32.

The women’s 9s match was played between two competitive sides however the delays in kicking conversions and resetting after penalties ate into the shortened halves and resulted in a flat game. The 9s match is played in 14-minute halves and one conversion and restart wasted a total of five minutes of the half, which dampened the experience for sideline fans.

Yenda opened the scoring but the Magpies answered quickly, working the ball down the filed before Wendy Gonevulavula crossed. Yenda scored again but with three seconds on the clock Hannah Stewart moved the ball down field, through the safe hands of Imah Navoto and Kiji Vatunino, allowing Gonevulavula to score her second.

At half-time the scored were locked at 10 all. 

Yenda scored two quick tries before Stewart crossed, again off the back of solid progression by Navoto and Vatunino.

Final score: Hay 14 (Tries: Wendy Gonevulavula 2, Hannah Stewart. Kiji Vatunino.) Yenda 20.

The league tag match opened the day at Hay Park and was played in a grinding style. Hay fought back from a 12-point deficit at half time, when Wendy Gonevulavula scored in the second half.

Hay was best served by Georgia Graetz whose tagging efforts stalled Yenda’s attack, and Kayla Barrett. Barrett made many valuable metres with every ball carry. As always Zoe McRae and Hannah Stewart played with vigour, in what was a closely contested match.

Final score: Hay 6 (Try: Wendy Gonevulavula) Yenda 12.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 17 April 2024.