Yanco Wamoon has extended their winning streak to four after a 44-8 win at home over West Wyalong on Sunday afternoon.
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The Hawks were able to make a good start in the first half even when their ball security wasn’t quite where coach Nick Puntoriero wanted it to be.
“We only had 30 per cent of the ball we kept dropping it in the first half,” he said.
“We changed things around a bit in the second half which was pretty pleasing.
“We just had to hold the ball, go forward, keep defending, and we might be in with a chance.”
Andriu Tagilala, Glenn Dumbrell and Troy Preston got across the line for the Hawks in the first half while Tim Dore was the lone try scorer for the Mallee Men to see a 16-6 scoreline at the interval.
While the second half didn’t get off to the best start for the Hawks with Andrew Smith sent to the sin bin, but they were able to build on their lead even with 12 men.
After an injury break with Tagilala on the deck, Kody Collins was able to get his first try on debut for the first-grade side.
Smith made an instant impact when he returned to the field to link up with Josh Nikoro to see the young centre score his first of the game to put the Hawks up 28-6.
The Hawks all but racked up the game when Shannon Bradbrook found a gap to get across the line before he was joined on the scoresheet by Mitchell Pippin.
With a matter of seconds left on the clock, Preston was able to score his second of the match after running under the post to score and with the successful conversion from Puntoriero the Hawks had wrapped up the 44-8 win.
The ability the younger blokes in the side have been displaying during their run of unbeaten games is something that has impressed the coach.
“We got a good bunch of young fellas,” he said.
“Kody Collins was great today he didn't look out of place on his debut which is really good.
“Will Barnes looks like he’s been a first grader for years.”
The result also means the Hawks have closed on a top three position, but this isn’t a concern for Puntoriero.
“We are just playing every week as it comes,” he said
“We want two points every week we’re playing - where we end up is where we end up.
“If we end up in the three all good and we’ll take anything.”
With the Sharks losing to the Black and Whites it means Yanco Wamoon are within three points of third.
The Hawks have a long trip ahead of them next week as they take on Hay while West Wyalong will return to the Shire to take on Leeton.