Hay Magpies’ first grade defeat over Leeton Greens in their final game of the regular season, has set the Club to host a final at Hay Park on September 6.

For the first time since entering the Group 20 competition, all senior Magpies grades will contest finals, with league tag, reserve grade, first grade and the women’s tackle team all finishing at the top end of their competition ladders.

“It was a really good win against third-placed Leeton,” first grade coach Chris Stewart said.

“A lot of effort play, which is what we build our game off.”

The first-grade game kicked off with an opening period of shared possession between the two sides, until a well-placed kick by Ben Taylor gave Hay six more tackles. Taking advantage of the repeat set, Brad Pocock scored the first of his two tries for the day.

Leeton hit back with their own try before invoking a penalty for a dangerous tackle on Simon Parr. Speedy winger Anare Rokosusu crossed, as Parr and Jerry Balenawi led from the front in attack.

Ben Arandt cleverly targeted off-side Leeton players with his ball carries, which resulted in good progression down the field for Hay.

Despite the forward momentum, Leeton scored next from a heaven-sent bomb, and the two teams went into the half-time break locked at 12 points all.

“We spoke about putting 20 minutes of good footy together at half-time,” Stewart said. “We knew we were on top, but with too many errors, we kept giving them chances.”

Once again, the game ground out evenly for the first ten minutes of the half, with neither side giving an inch in the physical match up.

A 40/20 kick by Taylor broke the deadlock, and Arandt used the field position to crash across the try line.

Zane Gash and Shaun Aylett were outstanding, and Hay peppered the Leeton line, until a period of frantic ball movement across the line saw Pocock score again.

The home ground crowd was on their feet, as Will Barnes and Arandt combined from the very next kick-off, as Jock Crighton finished the play-off with a try.

With 13 minutes on the clock Leeton scored, but Hay set their sights on the win, and bent their backs to deny any further points.

As the siren sounded, the ten-point win was a fitting end to Harley Hey’s 200th game, with celebrations shared with another 200-game player, Patty Miller.

Final score: Hay 28 (Tries: Brad Pocock 2, Anare Rokosusu, Ben Arandt, Jock Crighton. Goals: Ben Taylor 4) defeated Leeton 18.
Awards: Player’s player Jock Crighton. Coaches Shaun Aylett.

The Lund brothers Dylan and Jacob starred in the reserve grade win over the visitors.

The Leeton side featured two former Hay Magpies Juniors Tom Dowse and Noah Hey. Hey was punishing in both defence and attack, while Dowse is proving to be one of Leeton’s most promising players.

Not yet 18 and yet the under 18s competition’s leading point scorer, Dowse scored a try in the reserve grade match, and was instrumental in another try and booted two conversions.

Hey also backed up and played the first-grade match, pitting him against his older brother, which had fans from both clubs cheering.

Leeton scored first to put Hay on notice, but an intercept by Billy Fixter turned the game around, which resulted in Thomas Lee crossing the line.

Soon after, Jacob Lund’s ferocious efforts were rewarded with a try, before a massive 60 metre break through the Leeton line by Ryan Gash, saw Lund score his second.

Dowse’s try just before half-time saw Hay go into the break with an eight-point lead.

After the restart the Magpies piled on the pressure in a display of rock-hard play from every team member.

Dylan Lund’s attack allowed Luke James to muscle across the line. Coach Zac O’Neill was unlucky not to score next, when the goal post halted his progression.

Hay’s final try was scored by Patty Miller on the back of good work in attack by Fixter.

Leeton scored the final try of the match, but were not able to string together enough, and conceded the game by ten-points.

“Obviously the two Lund boys were good,” coach Zac O’Neill said.

“But it’s really hard to pick the standouts. It was such a good team effort.

“We trained to get to the kicks and in the first half we got ten of them, and we did well.”

The side still has Lloyd Schulz, James McLean and Jermaine Dixon to welcome back to the side, in the finals push.

Final score: Hay 30 (Tries: Jacob Lund 2, Thomas Lee, Luke James, Patty Miller. Goals: Ryan Gash 5) defeated Leeton Greens 20.
Awards: Player’s player Dylan Lund. Coaches Jacob Lund.

Leeton’s league tag side played a shut out over Hay, posting a convincing 36-point win.

Wendy Gonevulavula served as Hay’s last line of defence on many occasions and denied Leeton additional points, and was ably supported by Zoe McRae. When Hay had the ball Lani Houston and Larissa Sorensen were solid in attack, but the speed and skill on the well-honed Leeton team did not fail.

Hannah Stewart’s kicks in play were on-point, and her performance was rewarded with the peer voted player’s player award.

Final score: Hay 0 Leeton 36
Awards: Player’s player Hannah Stewart. Coaches Wendy Gonevulavula.

Hay Magpies have drawn the final week bye, meaning they will sit out the round 18 games.

In the first week of the finals on the weekend of September 6 and 7, first grade and league tag will play on Saturday in Hay, with reserves and the women’s tackle side to play on Sunday, at a venue to be announced.

“I really hope the town gets behind us, and we get a huge crowd at the finals,” Stewart said.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 27 August 2025.