Coach Tom Giles goes for a charge in the match against Queanbeyan.
The Young Cherrypickers had an exciting start to their season as they faced off against the Canberra Rugby League First Grade Premiers from 2024, in what could be described as a Superbowl style trial against the Queanbeyan Roos on the weekend.
Despite a few key players being absent, the team showed resilience and teamwork, with several under 18 players stepping up and delivering impressive performances.
The game ended in a 20 all draw after four tightly contested 20-minute quarters, making it a hard fought and evenly matched encounter.
Club spokesperson Sharon Corcoran expressed her pride in the team’s performance. “Queanbeyan Roos came over with their full squad, but despite missing a few of our regular players, we had a solid team. A couple of our under 18s really stepped up, and they were outstanding on the field,” she said.
“It was a great opportunity for them to get some good game time and show what they can do.”
The crowd was much larger than expected for a single match, with supporters eagerly filling the stands to watch the Pickers’ season opener.
After the game, many fans made their way to the Aussie to celebrate the day’s events. While the result was a draw, Sharon noted the absence of two key players from the Roos, both former Pickers players.
“It would have been more special if those players were in the game, but even with the missing faces, the match was still a great spectacle,” she said.
From a performance standpoint, the Pickers’ coach Tom was pleased with the team’s effort.
“For our first hit-out of the season, it was pretty good,” he said. “The boys were really happy to get back to playing games, and it gave us a few things to work on as we move forward. The effort and attitude, especially in defence, were solid, and we were able to control the game. The new players looked great, and some of the more experienced guys showed them the ropes. It was a great start.”
With the season now underway, the Pickers are excited about the potential for the rest of the year. Their first game has provided a solid foundation to build on, and the team is already focused on improving and fine-tuning their skills for the next challenge.
Fans can look forward to more action-packed games as the season progresses.
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