DUBBO Kangaroos under-17 Reds took on competition leaders Orange City at Victoria Park 3 last Saturday, and after a slow start to the game were able to come out winners in a thrilling game 25-24.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The scoring started in the opening minute after the Reds swung the ball wide, but a dropped pass was swooped on by City and their winger raced over in the corner to lead 5-0. The Reds were slow to recover, and only a penalty goal by Jack Jones kept them in the contest.
Orange City were proving hard to handle out wide and raced in another two tries, one of which was converted, to lead by 17-3 after 20 minutes.
The Reds then began to get back in the game by showing better ball control and better discipline, and some great charges by Will Smith, Bill Cornish, Kyle Gibson, Izaiah Raidaveta and Jock Lawry saw the Reds camped in the Lions 22.
After quick hands by Lachlan Edgar, Jack Jones and Pat Berryman, Kyle Gibson managed to score, and with Jones missing the conversion the Reds went into the break down 17-8.
The Reds started the second half where they finished the first with strong defence by Kel Rumble, Will Smith, James Robertson and Kyle Gibson putting the Lions on the back foot.
A penalty goal by Jack Jones after 10 minutes saw the margin reduced to 17-11 in favour of the Lions, before the Reds scrum began to hold their own against the City pack.
Sam Hart, Ben Towers and Izaiah Raidaveta began to dominate the front row and this allowed Pat Berryman to get the Reds' backs to make holes in the City defence.
In the 20th minute lock Tim Cushan raced through the Lions defence and scored a terrific try, which Jones converted to put the Reds in front 18-17.
Five minutes later Cushan was at it again, crashing through the tiring Lions defence to score.
Jones again converted, and the Reds were in front 25-17.
Orange City were not finished though, and after securing the ball from the kick-off they managed to score a try in the corner which was converted to make the score 25-24 and ensure a nervous finish was on the cards.
But a great kick-off by Jack Jones found touch and the referee's whistle went to give the Reds a one-point victory.
For the Reds, there was none better than lock Tim Cushan who was absolutely outstanding in picking up the three points and players' player, while Will Smith, Kel Rumble, Kyle Gibson, Jack Jones and Sam Hart all shared points.
