Guyra Ghosts Second grade team travelled to Glen Innes on Saturday for their first game of the New England competition against the Glen Innes Elks.
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From the kick off Guyra was awarded a penalty for a ruck infringement on Glen’s 22 metre line and opted for a lineout. The lineout was lost and Glen, with their larger forward pack, set their back line going forward into Guyra’s half.
A penalty to Glen for a high tackle gave the Elks a shot at goal score 3-nil. From the ensuing Guyra kick off the strong Glen pack dominated the smaller Guyra players and a quick back line play by Glen saw them score a try close to the posts, the try was converted score 10-nil.
Guyra regrouped and from their own kick off regained possession from a dropped ball by Glen and smart work by the forwards were able to set their backline into action to score by the posts. The try was converted score 10-7 at half time.
Both teams came out ready to do battle in the second half. At the 45th minute the Glen pack once again overpowered the lighter Guyra pack in the scrum and with a quick feed from the scrum base their halfback gave a cut out pass to the outside centre, to their wing who scored by the corner post. The try was unconverted, score 15-7.
Not to be outdone by the bigger and stronger Glen Innes side the Guyra players, under the leadership of Tim Foster, put their heads down and gave a determined effort and played above themselves.
They started to dominate the play in the rucks and mauls and were able to hold back the heavier Glen forward pack in the scrums. This effort was rewarded by two quick tries to Guyra, one converted and one unconverted to lead Glen for the first time at 19-15.
From the Glen kick off a mishandled ball gave Glen a scrum for the knock on by Guyra and Glen set their platform and were able to overcome a tiring Guyra side. They were able to once again set their backline into motion to score out wide, the try was not converted, score 20-19 to Glen.
With only minutes to play Guyra valiantly tried to regain possession from their own kick-off, but were denied their effort by Glen kicking the ball into touch. At full time, the score was 19-20 with Guyra going down.
The Guyra team played above themselves against a much larger and heavier forward Glen Innes pack and it is a credit to all 21 players who participated. Training nights Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm all welcome to come and play rugby.
Don Carruthers