Sport
Merrylands beat off a Hills heist
Pranesh Nageshwar
Tuesday 20 May, 2008 12:01am
HILLS first-grade made a gallant attempt to give Merrylands a taste of defeat for the first time this season when they played on Saturday at Yattenden Oval. But Merrylands wriggled out of a precarious position to stay undefeated and win 23-19.
Hills had the first say when centre Jonathon Brown put Hills ahead 5-0. Merrylands hit back with a quick penalty goal and then a converted try to take the lead 10-5. Shawn Howell kicked a penalty goal that narrowed the gap to 2 points at the break with Hills trailing 10-8.
In the second half, fly half Daniel Studders kicked a field goal from 40m to take the lead back 11-10. Howell kicked another conversion, which saw Hills extend their lead to 14-10.
Merrylands hit back with a penalty goal and a converted try which saw Hills trailing 20-14.
A strong rolling maul ended with David Cox scoring. But Hills failed to convert and remained a point behind at 20-19. Merrylands snatched victory with a late penalty goal and the final score at 23-19.
The Sam Coddington Player's Player award was won by Anthony Burrows who was playing his debut first-grade game.
Hills second grade lost 19-13 with third grade losing 26-5 lost. Colts tried hard but lost 43-7 with Cameron Menzies scoring for Hills.
James Clarke played his 300th game for Hills, breaking the record of 294 games.
