City have claimed a hard-fought 20-12 win over Country in the Under 17s Girls match at Leichhardt Oval today with fullback Logan Lemusu helping to seal the result after grabbing two tries.
Lemusu was later named Player of the Match, City halfback Olivia Vaalele also turned in a strong effort after having a hand in a couple of tries, while Country centre Mia Vaotuua proved to be a handful after crashing her way over the line for a double.
City received an early opportunity after Country lost the ball over the line and hooker Bailey Ma-Chong came close only to be denied by some desperate defence.
City didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity with Vaalele doing well to keep the ball alive before Lemusu dived over out wide to score. Five-eighth Anastasia Leatupue landed the conversion for a 6-0 lead.
Vaalele had a hand in the next try after throwing a long pass for centre Danielle Seckold to score in the corner. Leatupue was unable to land the conversion, but City was in control at 10-0.
Country regained their composure and began working into the contest with hooker Mahlie Cashin picking up Vaotuua close to the line to crash through the defence and reduce the margin to 10-4.
Unfortunately, an error by Country close to half-time proved to be costly after Vaalele turned back-rower Fontayne Tufuga back inside to score next to the posts. Leatupue converted to send City into the break with a handy 16-4 lead.
The second half was much tighter with both sides testing each other in both attack and defence. Country eventually found the way through after back-rower Tahlia O’Brien floated a long ball over the top for unmarked winger Ella Knowles to touch down in the corner.
Five-eighth Maronay Smuts needed to land the difficult conversion from the sideline to put her team within a converted try of City but unfortunately it bounced off the upright and landed back in the field of play to leave the score at 16-8.
City made the road back that little bit harder after Lemusu kicked ahead for herself into the in-goal area and touched down to score after Country failed to clean up the loose ball. The conversion from Leatupue hit the upright and was waved away but City were on top at 20-8.
City replacement Lacey Cross showed some desperation in defence to hold up Country centre Halle Barrett over the line but the joy was short-lived after Country worked the ball across field for Knowles to send Vaotuua over for her second try of the day.
Country faced another tough conversion attempt from out wide and Isla Hodgson was unable to land the attempt to leave the score at 20-12 which was enough for City to secure the result.
City 20 (Logan Lemusu 2, Danielle Seckold, Fontayne Tufuga tries; Anastasia Leatupue 2 goals) Country 12 (Mia Vaotuua 2, Ella Knowles tries) at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday 19 May.
