THE local derby went around on Monday when the Inverell Hawks played an Anzac Day match against the Ashford Roosters at Varley Oval. The Roosters led on the scoreboard, until the final five minutes when the Hawks score two tries to get home 24-22, in a very thrilling contest in front of a very large crowd.
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Both club presidents said they were pleased with the day and how their teams performed.
Hawks president Garry Lavender described the Roosters as a pretty hot side.
“We had a lot of turnover of possession in the wrong areas,” admitted Lavender.
“And they capitalised on that. We were down 10-4 there at one stage. We scored and converted, and went into the sheds at half-time at 12-10 behind.”
Lavender said in the second-half the Roosters went further ahead.
Ashford president Mick Lewis described the game as tough and competitive, and a match that could have gone either way.
“Both sides played some very good football, and I think they are going to be two of the high flying teams this season,” he said.
“They’ve had the first win, good on them. But we’ll have to square it up when we next see them.
“It was a very good promotion of rugby league in the Inverell district.”
Four Ashford and five Inverell players carrying small injuries from the representative games they played on the weekend took the field.
Lavender said he thought his side was a bit ragged and slower than usual, while Lewis said the Roosters were in a similar position.
“You couldn’t claim that Inverell had a huge load to carry because I think it was very similar,” Lewis said.
“We led 22-14 in the second-half. We had a player sin binned and they hit the lead while that player was in the bin. We would have liked the two points, but we’re pretty happy with the result.”
Lavender said he appreciated Ashford coming on board to play the match on Anzac Day Monday.
“It’s just a great concept, we think, and we hope it stays,” he said.
“Full credit to them, they’re a good side.
“And they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with this year, for sure.”