City stun Country to claim nail-biting victory

City stun Country to claim nail-biting victory

City 24

(Steve Turner 2, Chris Lawrence, Lachlan Coote Tries; Turner 4/4 Goals)

Defeated

County 22

(Blake Ferguson 2, Tariq Sims 2 Tries; Carney 3/4 Goals).

An unheralded City team has stunned Country to claim a 24-22 victory in the annual City v Country Origin clash in front of 8621 locals at Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex in Mudgee.

Halfback Mitchell Pearce and hooker Robbie Farah led the visitors from the front, as their underrated forward pack dominated Country and controlled the game in the first half to establish a 24-0 lead.

Winger Steve Turner was the scoring star for City, grabbing 16 points including the first 12, to put Country almost out of the game before the break, but a spirited second half comeback set up a thrilling finish with City holding on for the win.

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After a sloppy start to the game from both sides, Turner gave City a shock lead after he crossed in the 14th minute after some good work in the lead up by Ryan Hoffman and Joseph Leilua, and converted his own try from touch for a 6-0 lead.

Turner was in again three minutes later when some good passing by Corey Payne and Bryce Gibbs got the ball to Pearce, who’s kick Turner mowed down to score in the corner again. He made no mistake for the second time for a 12-0 lead after 17 minutes.

Chris Lawrence, playing in the unfamiliar right centre position extended the lead further in the 32nd minute when he showed some good footwork to get around Josh Morris and score, with Turner’s 3rd conversion pushing the lead to 18-0.

Again they struck within minutes, as Leilua burst the line, passing inside to Pearce, who then set up Lachlan Coote to score under the posts, and blow Country away with a 24-0 lead after just 35 minutes.

Country didn’t go into half time empty though, as Blake Ferguson took an intercept from a Jarryd Hayne pass to run 95m to score out wide, with Todd Carney’s conversion closing the gap to 24-6 at the break.

They came out from the break the more enthusiastic as well, continuing the momentum they gained from the Ferguson try, and scored again in the 45th minute, again through Ferguson. He chased down a perfectly weighted Josh McCrone kick to score, and bring Country back into the game at 24-10.

Tariq Sims made his impact on the game just three minutes later, when Carney took on the line, using a right foot step to break the line and pass inside to the Cowboys back-rower, who scored under the posts. Carney converted with ease to bring the score to 24-16.

Sims grabbed his second on debut in the 64th minute after Ryan Hinchcliffe spread the ball wide and Sims baredg his way over the line, with Carney again converting for a 24-22 ball game.

Riding the wave of momentum, Country had numerous chances to steal the win in the dying stages, but were held at bay by the City defence, and ruined themselves with poor last tackle options.

Best for City were Robbie Farah, Mitchell Pearce and Aaron Woods, while the best for Country were Tariq Sims, Luke Douglas and Todd Carney.

Injury and Team News

Country No major injuries to report.

City Joseph Leilua (On Report), Tim Mannah (Head Cut), Jarryd Hayne (Knee).

CITY ORIGIN
L Coote, D Williams, J Leilua, C Lawrence, S Turner, J Hayne, M Pearce, A Woods, R Farah © T Mannah, R Hoffman, C Payne, F Mateo.
Bench: M Allgood, J Buhrer, L Fulton, B Gibbs. Coach: B Fittler.
COUNTRY ORIGIN
B Morris, J McManus, J Morris, M King, B Ferguson, T Carney, J Mullen, L Douglas, R Hinchcliffe, M Weyman, B Scott, B Creagh, G Bird.
Bench: J McCrone, T Learoyd-Lahrs, T Merrin, T Sims. Coach: L Daley.