A SMART individual try to quick stepping halfback Tristan Scott sealed Wauchope's 28-18 win over Old Bar in a bruising, ill-disciplined Group Three Rugby League game at Old Bar.
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The result maintained Wauchope's strong start to the season, with the Blues now recording two wins and a draw from the opening three rounds. Old Bar have been at home for all three matches this season and but now have just the one victory, a disappointing outcome captain-coach Mick Henry admitted at fulltime.
The Blues were clinging to a 20-18 lead with 10 minutes remaining but had possession deep in Old Bar territory. Scott seized the moment, stepping through the line and beating three defenders in a run to score. Reliable goal kicker Sam Watts added the extras and then kicked a penalty goal just on time.
Wauchope were the better side. They were never headed in a game that was dominated by the forwards. Neither side showed much respect for the football and there were numerous errors, although the closeness of the scores kept the game interesting.
Wauchope hooker Dean Hurrell faces a lengthy stay on the sideline after he was replaced in the second half after suffering a suspected broken arm.
"I should have stayed retired,'' Hurrell muttered as he made his way to the bench clutching his arm. He made a comeback this year.
Smart five-eighth Jordie Gibson also failed to see the game out after dislocating his shoulder while interchange forward Brayden Stubbs was another casualty after being concussed.
Old Bar interchange forward Tony De Stefano was replaced in the first half after taking a heavy knock, Wauchope forward Kahlan Duncan spent 10 minutes in the sin bin after the incident.
Gibson, Scott and second rower Tom Field were the pick for Wauchope while all the forwards stood up in the heavy going. Halfback Jordan Worboys was again Old Bar's best, while prop Rumone Jackson did enough to suggest he'll now be a regular in the 3pm game.
Wauchope centre Sam Watts scored a try and converted early in the match but Old Bar bounced back via a touchdown to centre Drey Mercy. There was no goal and the Blues led 6-4.
Winger Sam Ylias did some clever work down the flank to instigate a move that resulted in Gibson crossing for Wauchope and Watts made it a dozen with the goal. Just before halftime Watts landed a penalty goal to give the Blues a handy cushion at 14-4.
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Old Bar dominated field position for much of the second half, but apart from a couple of breaks by Worboys, much of their attack become bogged down in the middle. Henry managed to dive over from dummy half to score and Russell's goal made it 14-10 but Wauchope responded when diminutive halfback Tryell Scott, who had only just came on the field, sent Gibson racing down the sideline and he positioned Field who added another try that Watts had no trouble converting. This made the gap 10 points at 20-10.
Old Bar second rower Tom Dooker kept the Pirates in the game with a try out wide but Russell couldn't raise the flags. Worboys then laid on a try for Russell soon after to reduce the margin to two at 20-18. Russell was again unable to land the goal.
However, Scott's try sealed the deal and Wauchope headed home with two more competition points.
League tag: Old Bar defeated Camden Haven 46-0
Under 18s: Old Bar defeated Camden Haven 34-16
Reserve grade: Old bar defeated Wauchope 26-8.
