Guyra earned its first result and a lot of respect last Friday night when the Moree Boomerangs came to the New Red Hill.
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It was a night of fight-backs and determination in the face of adversity, befitting of an Anzac weekend clash.
The Spudettes raced to a 12-nil lead in the leaguetag contest with two tries to Bea Roberts before the Boomies bounded to a 22-12 halftime advantage.
That grew to 28-12 when a fifth unanswered try after the break provided the visitors with a powerful position.
But Guyra surged when it counted with quick tries to Jess Gaukroger and Bea Roberts. Soon after Taylor Waters raced over and Sophie Gaukroger converted to level the scores at 28-all.
Guyra looked more likely to win in the dying seconds but had to settle for a draw and the club’s first competition point for 2015.
Bea Roberts was given the club’s three points to go with her three tries, Britt Youman polled two points and Alli Burey received one.
Co-coach Tom Starr said his players were pleased with the result and even more upbeat about their ever-improving performances.
In the first grade game the Super Spuds were up against the reigning Group 19 premiers of the past two years and gave up an early try.
But it was the only score of the opening 18 minutes as Guyra made the Rangs work hard in attack and defence.
A terrible lack of possession in the middle of the first half cruelled Guyra’s great start and the Boomies racked up four more tries to lead 30-nil.
When the Spuds finally got the pill they ran in a much-deserved score to Cody Patterson, converted by Beau Orchard, and even had another chance right on halftime but were beaten by the siren.
Moree started the second half the better and raced to a 50-6 lead after 65 minutes and added another try after the dubious sin-binning of Guyra powerhouse Nesi Puta.
But that seemed to rouse the Spuds and in the last 12 minutes it was they who added to the score when Matt Duthie latched onto a cross-field kick.
It finished 56-10, the best scoreline for Guyra in its three games to date and another indication of the rapid improvement coach Stephen Kliendienst is overseeing.
“I’m very happy with that,” he said.
“We’re a work in progress.
“I was very impressed with a lot of blokes out there tonight.”
Beau Orchard was everywhere and won the players’ player vote, two Group points and the three club points.
Two club points went to Rick Ellis and one to Blake Handebo for their efforts, but could have gone to any number of players.
There is no senior club football this weekend due to the Greater Northern Championships at Scone so Guyra will train hard tonight and next week in preparation for games against Warialda.
If numbers are sufficient the Spuds could be fielding a reserve grade side so get to training and help make it happen.