ASQUITH START WITH TOUGH LOSS
The Asquith Magpies started their 2019 Ron Massey Cup season with a hard fought 16-8 loss to the St Marys Saints at St Marys Leagues Stadium.
In a tough contest played in wet conditions, the Magpies fought back to level scores twice – with tries from Blake Goodman kicks to Curtis Johnston in the 16th minute and Honeti Tuha in the 33rd minute – to be level at 8-all at half time.
The home side edged ahead with a penalty goal in the 52nd minute, before scoring the critical try with fifteen minutes left over an Asquith side that had their chances throughout the match.
In the Sydney Shield match played earlier last Saturday at St Marys last Saturday, Asquith had to settle for a 12-all draw with St Marys after conceding a late try with three minutes to play.
After a scoreless first half in which Asquith’s second rower Joe Mau was sinbinned, the Magpies came back to lead twice after conceding points.
Jared Palmer scored seven minutes into the second half for Treymaine Brown to convert, before Nick O’Meley finished off a Riley Travers break to score under the posts for Shae Jarvis to convert and a 12-8 Asquith lead with 15 minutes left.
However, a late penalty gave St Marys field position to score their match levelling try in the closing stages.
Asquith are on the road again this weekend when they take on Western Suburbs in Massey Cup at Leichhardt Oval at 5:30pm on Saturday, before playing defending Sydney Shield Premiers East Campbelltown at Worrell Park, Ruse at 2:30pm on Sunday.
TONY DOSEN,
HEAD OF SPORTS – 2HHH-FM.
Photo courtesy Bryden Sharp Photography