Blayney’s joy in premier league was short lived following Sunday’s 48-14 loss to defending Group 10 premiers Orange CYMS, but the club’s trip to Wade Park wasn’t entirely fruitless.
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Not by a long shot.
Following the girls’ 12-4 victory over CYMS in league tag, the Blayney under 18s sprung an upset by knocking off the previously undefeated green and golds, also the reigning premiers.
In a topsy-turvy battle – the lead changed hands three times – a Joey Hobby try near the death, and the following conversion by Cooper Toshack, lifted the Bears juniors to a 22-20 victory over CYMS.
With Hobby now back after his commitments with the Penrith Panthers in the SG Ball, and young half Nick Tilburg calling the shots, coach Cameron Hobby said belief was high in the Bears camp heading over the half-way point of the 2018 season.
Along with Hobby’s four-pointer late to snatch the win, Aden Prosper, Pat Duggan and Darcy Ryan all crossed for tries as well.
“I think if we can stay injury free and start getting a bit of continuity as a group, there a good feeling around that we can definitely match it with the top sides at the business end of the season,” Hobby said, the Bears now third on the ladder heading into round nine.
Blayney will face another massive test on Sunday, taking on Bathurst Panthers at King George Oval.
“Having Joey back is huge for us, but Nick Tilburg is a very classy young half … he gives the rest of the boys a lot of confidence having him in the side with his ability to control the speed of the game to suit us,” Hobby added.
The young coach said his side was still eyeing off improvement in its defence.
“Hopefully we can resurrect that in the next few weeks and see how we go,” he said.
Blayney hosts Panthers from 10am on Sunday, with the league tag kicking off the day.
Tim Mortimer’s Bears will be looking for its second win of the season from 1.45pm.