While they left it late, Yanco Wamoon were able to take the lead when it mattered most as they came away with a 22-18 win over local rivals Leeton.
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The visiting side was able to make a fast start, taking a 10-0 lead after the first 10 minutes and looked to be controlling the game early.
Back-to-back penalties gave the Hawks decent field position, and they were able to turn it into points with Chance Tauri crossing under the post and with the successful conversion from Gary Ingram, the home side was back to within four.
The Greens lost their way and eventually lost a player for the rest of the game when Kelevi Ralulu was sent off for a cannonball tackle on Hawks coach Nick Puntoriero.
Despite being down a man, the Greens hit the scoreboard before the break when Jordan Demarzo crossed to give the Leeton side a 16-6 lead at halftime.
Clinton Green kicked a penalty goal just after the break, but the Hawks found the momentum from there.
Patrick Ahnau and Beau Routley crossed in quick succession to get the Hawks to within two points of the Greens.
Shannon Bradbrook was given too much time to place a kick for Andrew Smith who delivered the ball back on the inside to see Bradbrook score what would be the match-winning try.
The occasion got the better of both Tauri and Leeton’s Todd Prest who were sent to the sin bin with seven minutes remaining, but it had little impact as the Hawks came away with the 22-18 win.
Yanco coach Nick Puntoriero said he was glad his side were able to get the win after the poor start.
“We dug ourselves a hole that we should never have put ourselves in, but to the boy's credit they dug themselves out of it,” he said.
“We have plenty of character. I knew we could get ourselves back into the game, but we just hurt ourselves.
“Too many dropped ball and silly penalties just stuff we have been doing over the last two weeks that we don't usually do.”
According to the coach, it was a team effort in the second half which got them over the line.
“We all just dug in a little bit, and in that second half we all just worked for one another,” he said.
“There was no particular standout it was a scrappy win, and we just got there in the end.”
Yanco Wamoon will now prepare to take on Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo while Leeton return home to face Hay in a must-win match.