In a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire, the Young Cherrypickers secured their spot in the finals with a hard-fought 26-24 victory over the South City Bulls. The win, their second on the trot, provides a massive boost of momentum as they head into a crucial final stretch of the season.
The Cherrypickers’ victory was a true team effort, with five different players crossing the line. Dev Makoare-Boyce, Matt Murray, and Isaac Matalavea-Booth each scored a crucial try, while Aborosio Navori proved a handful for the Bulls’ defence, bagging a game-winning double.
Despite the on-field success, Cherrypickers President Andrew Smith was realistic about the team’s performance, acknowledging it was a very “up-and-down game.” “We were very, very scrappy in a lot of areas,” Smith said. “It was just one of those games that we seem to do, play down to the opposition’s levels; it has sort of been the story of this year.”
The win, however, was a significant step forward after a season of close calls. The team had lost four of their previous five games by only two or four points. “So we did enough in those moments to win the game,” Smith noted with pride.
Key performances were highlighted by the President, with the forward pack earning high praise. “Our forward pack was very good, so the likes of Gilesy and Walks were very good,” Smith stated. “Jayke Hogan was excellent in the first half before he got that shoulder complaint… Jayke is a true professional.”
In the backline, Dev Makoare-Boyce was commended for his “really good carries” and two tries, but it was Boro Navori who was voted “players’ player” for his standout double.
For the South City Bulls, playing in front of their home crowd, they showed immense resilience and refused to give up. They were led by an individual performance from Josh Siegwalt, who was perfect with the boot, converting all four of the Bulls’ tries. Tries were scored by Kyle McCarthy, Cleve McGhie, Jesse Fitzhenry, and Tim Hurst, each playing a pivotal role in keeping the Bulls in the contest until the final siren.
A Weekend of Triumphs and Challenges for the Club
The men’s victory was just one part of a busy and successful day for the club. The Under 18s also secured a tight 12-10 win, adding to the day’s excitement. The undisputed highlight of the weekend, however, came from the league taggers, who secured their first win of the season.
“The league taggers getting their first win of the season had to be the highlight,” Smith explained. The team, which was missing several key players due to injury, had to have girls “jump and suit up and do what they could.”
This victory lifted the team off the bottom of the ladder, a significant morale boost for the young squad. While some teams found success, the Reserve Grade and Women’s Tackle teams both faced tough losses. The Women’s Tackle went down 28-8, playing with only one reserve on a hot day, and dealing with several injuries.
“They did a pretty good job,” Smith said, acknowledging the difficult circumstances the women faced.
Looking Ahead to Finals
With their finals position now guaranteed, the Cherrypickers will need to lift their game. Their next challenge is against the Junee Diesels, one of Group 9’s oldest and fiercest rivalries. “We’re going to have to be a lot better this week to beat Junee. That’s for certain,” Smith warned.
The team is also facing some challenges with player availability, with a couple of players suffering head knocks and Jayke Hogan nursing a shoulder injury. Despite the challenges, the club has its sights set on a higher position. “We can get as high as third,” Smith said, which would be an “ideal position in the finals because you get those two bites.”
The team’s goal is to win their final two games, including a tough last match against Temora, to secure that coveted spot. Smith remains confident in his team’s potential. “We certainly can beat any team in the competition on our day. We’ve just got to put that 80-minute performance together.”
The team plans to rest some players to ensure they are healthy for the finals.
– Tully Potts
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