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City have managed to take their annual fixture against Country in a high scoring 14 point upset at Scully Park in Tamworth.
REPORT: GRAY LEADS CITY TO WIN
Country were expected to take the game coming in, with all the talk of the experience in the halves, players in position throughout the back line and a monster forward pack that looked like it was going to be able to roll up the field with ease.
That forward pack of Country controlled the game fantastically early on, but they really lost their way in the last 15 minutes of the first half after Aaron Gray scored his first try completely against the run of play.
City seems bamboozled coming out of the gates, with the Country pack able to roll up the field with absolute ease. Sloppy penalties didn’t help the cause of City, but they had no answers early on.
It took a long while for Country to convert their early dominance into points though, with Boyd Cordner crashing over off a James Maloney pass.
Goalline defence from City kept them in the game before in the 22nd minute Ryan Matterson took an intercept from a Jack Bird pass and ran 70 metres. After a few more plays and with the Country defence pressed, it was Aaron Gray to cross in the corner.
Just six minutes later, Aaron Gray would cross again off a Bryce Cartwright grubber into the in goal.
The final points of the first half would come on the last play with Leilani Latu turning into a ball player, setting up Kyle Lovett with a fantastic short ball.
Bryce Cartwright was absolutely fantastic, and probably the best player on the field throughout certainly the second half, but he also was the driving force that brought City back into the game during the back end of the first half after being dominated early on.
Tyrone Peachey, who was elevated to the starting side also had a strong match, while the kicking game of Aidan Sezer was fantastic, and allowed Chad Townsend to play without pressure and run the ball.
The scoring opened very early in the second half with Nathan Peats crossing during the first set. With Aidan Sezer bombing the ball to Kane Linnett, the pressure got to him and Peats would eventually cross underneath the posts.
There was almost a carbon copy a few minutes later expect Aaron Gray would cross for his third try on the right wing.
To cap off an incredibly fast start to the second half, and really put Country out of the game they scored on the left through Josh Mansour following a Country error. It was a perfectly executed offensive play, but the defence was nowhere to be seen.
Country would quickly bounce back scoring two unanswered tries through St George Illawarra Dragons duo Euan Aitken and Jack De Belin. They were both fairly soft, but Aitken’s in particular was on the back of masterful attacking and footwork.
City would then push away with Aaron Gray scoring his fourth try, and Ryan Matterson picking one up, again through some pretty average defence.
James Maloney grabbed a pair of consolation tries in the last six minutes for the boys from the bush, but it wasn’t to be, as City caused a massive, unexpected upset in Tamworth.
Final Score
Country Origin 30
City Origin 44
It is expected to be a sell-out crowd at Scully Park in Tamworth when the annual City – Country clash rolls into town. Can Country get the victory, or will a City side with plenty to prove take the win? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEST).
This fixture, which used to carry so much importance on the Rugby League calendar in Australia has become a little more than a joke and a chance to give some youngsters a run in a representative game.
NRL club coaches pull players out of these games like you simply would not believe, and it leaves us with City requiring to move onto their sixth choice fullback option – Clint Gutherson who has been playing on the wing for the Parramatta Eels.
Some of the selections have also become something of a joke such as Addin Fonua Blake – who has only had a couple of NRL games, making a grand total of less than 50 hit-ups and tackles – selected off the bench for City. Ryan Matterson is another baffling selection, particularly in the centres after one first grade game in the halves.
Country on the other hand manage to avoid the distinction of having selections that are downright terrible – with all of their players being able to push a valid claim to be part of the team either based on form for club teams or even history and career.
With two players from Cronulla – James Maloney and Jack Bird – forming the halves combination for Country, there is almost no question that the familiarity between the players will give them a huge boost. Aiden Sezer and Chad Townsend have both been in some very strong form though and should be able to hold their own out there.
Inconsistency in the kicking game of Sezer and Townsend has at times tended to creep in, as has the ability to completely go missing for a period of time.
City has to find a way to dominate through the forward pack – which will be much easier said than done. Reagan Campbell-Gillard will have to do a stack of work in the middle all afternoon.
Prediction
Country should be able to grab the win here, with City just being too understrength and too inexperienced.
Country by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 4pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde