News / Bailey Ladders City Origin Go Down to Country

The Bailey Ladders City Origin side was unable to withstand a second half onslaught as the VB Gold Country Origin side ran out 36-18 winners in Port Macquarie last night.

Played in front of a sellout crowd of 7688, both sides did their respective jerseys proud as a number of players pushed for Origin selection.

A fast start to the City boys saw them leading 12-0 after 20 minutes courtesy of tries from debutantes Kris Keating and Lachlan Coote, however the Country side finished the stronger with tries to two more debutantes in Josh Dugan and Jamal Idris, and at halftime the teams headed to the sheds with the scores locked at 12 apiece.

City Coach John Cartwright was happy with his side’s start however he urged his troops to keep it simple in the second half and to not play the scoreboard as perhaps the boys dropped off a touch after getting out to an early lead.

A number of penalties and some repeat sets during the first ten minutes saw Country dominate possession and then in the 48th minute Tahu drew defenders and offloaded to a wide open Luke Burt who dived over in the corner and capped it off with a brilliant sideline conversion.

City never recovered after being headed and further tries to Michael Robertson and a double to Dean Young meant that Country would win back the shield for the first time since 2006.

In the post match press conference John Cartwright said he couldn’t have been more proud of his players and the way they represented the jersey and in particular his young halves combination of Keating and Hodkinson.

“I thought they went really well, particularly in the first half” Cartwright said.

“Perhaps Country’s experience told in the end, but for them to gain that exposure at this level at their young age… It will definitely spur them on to bigger and better things in the future”.

For the Bailey Ladders City side, Anthony Minichiello was voted their Players Player, while Luke O’Donnell was also a standout prior to leaving the field with a hyper-extension of the knee.

The only other injury concern for the City side was a knee injury to five eighth Kris Keating with scans to determine the severity early in the week.

Josh Dugan was brilliant on debut for the VB Gold Country team and duly won the Man of the Match award. His kick returns, line running and arial ability made him an obvious choice.

Other notable players on the night were Tim Mannah, Mark Minichiello, Tim Grant and Beau Champion while for the Country boys their halfback and Captain, Brett Kimmorley, was only second to Dugan as their best.

COUNTRY 36 (D Young 2, L Burt, J Idris, M Robertson, J Dugan tries; L Burt 6 goals) def CITY 18 (K Keating, A Minichiello, L Coote; T Hodkinson 3 goals)