Country have defeated City 30-20 following a strong display in the CABE Physical Disability Rugby League game at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
Country’s Luke Vella, the Bulldogs NRL Assistant Coach who featured in the match, guided his team around the park beautifully, setting up three tries for his teammates while fullback Rylan Gaudron and centre Mark McCoy bagged doubles.
Vella: Perspective is a big thing for me
Country No.6 Alex Smith also grabbed a try and was later awarded Player of the Match honours.
NSWRL 2023 Physical Disability Player of the Year Bryce Crane was also a standout, scoring two tries and successfully converting two conversions from four attempts.
The Physical Disability Rugby League Country v City game is always a highlight on the NSWRL calendar and had the distinction of kicking off Day Two of the Country v City representative weekend.
Both teams started the game strong after scoring a converted try in the opening nine minutes (6-all).
Country went on to score back-to-back tries in the following five minutes to extend their lead to 10 points.
City hit back just before half-time through Crane who danced his way around defenders to find the line to reduce the deficit to 16-12 at the break.
Country scored first when play resumed through Vella who sent a cut-out ball to his centre Mark McCoy to dive over (20-12).
Four tries were scored over the course of the next 10 minutes – two apiece to each team – but it was Country who prevailed to secure an impressive 30-20 win.
Country 30 (Rylan Gaudron 2, Mark McCoy 2, Alex Smith, Mark Keaton tries: Rylan Gaudron 3 goals) City 20 (Bryce Crane 2, Edward Lennon, Jaylen Martin tries; Bryce Crane 2 goals).
