Recap

Under 18s enter the winners circle with win over Wests

By CHRIS GORDON

The Goulburn Under 18s notched up their first win of the season with a 27-19 result over Wests Lions.

Both sides came into the match without a win this year and the close match resulted gave testament to both their eagerness to get on the board, and the closeness of the two sides.

Goulburn scored 19 points relatively quickly and their confidence grew with each point scored. A penalty goal pushed Goulburn’s score to 22 points but Wests were surging back into the game strongly with 12 points of their own.

Into the second half, and momentum shifted completely to Wests who held Goulburn on their line for almost 20 minutes. Wests confidence grew with ball in hand as they held the bulk of territorial advantage and possession.

Goulburn’s defence held defiantly for much of that time, but Wests finally cracked through with around 10 to go, and at 22-19, the match was there for the taking for either side.

A try to Goulburn clinched the match and, despite a bit of dustup between the sides in the final few minutes, the match was played in mostly good and very competitive spirit throughout.

While only one side gets the cookies, both sides left knowing it could have gone either way.

Best and fairest points went to Isaac Stanberg (3), Jack White (2), Harry Hayes (1) and Cooper Camden-Smith (1) with Jack White also named Players Player.

Goulburn 27 (Jack White 2, Harry Hayes, Sam Spackman tries, Jacob Rudd, Jack Page conversions, Jack Page penalty goal) bt Wests 19 (Bill Harpley, Zack Hatcraft, Joseph Tonkin tries, Aaron Karotam 2 conversions).

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