WEST LIONS 38

WEE Waa Panthers overcame a slow start and the loss of two players to the second half sin bin to beat competition leaders West Lions 45-38 in their Group 4 Wests Cup clash at Wee Waa’s Cook Oval.

Down 12-nil early in the first half the Panthers clawed their way back into a game where West Lions helped by dropping the ball three times when over the tryline.

The Panthers also had to “dig deep” in the second half, said captain coach David Cruickshank when they had two men sin-binned.

“We were down to 11,” Cruickshank said.

“But the boys dug deep. It was a great effort by the forwards.”

With Lindsay Pawley, Josh Ryan and Kenny Anderson leading the way it enabled fullback Brenton Cochrane to carve up the Lions’ defence with numerous breaks up the middle of the park.

“He cut us apart,” said West Lions coach Tony La Chiusa.

“Tore us to shreds. Jarred Hetherington pushed them around well and their forwards worked hard too. We were flat and didn’t take our opportunities but full credit to Wee Waa, they were the better side.

“Harold (Sutton) controlled the game well, we had no excuses, we just came up with some poor defence on four, five and six tackles.”

While Cochrane was ripping the West defences to shreds, Lindsay Pawley continued his great

season.

“He stood up again today,” Cruickshank said.

“He played prop. He’s been our number one hit up and tackle man all season and did it again today.”

Brenton Cochrane picked up the three points in the The Northern Daily Leader-sponsored Group 4 Player of the Year Award. West Lions’ Brendan Hunt received the two points and Wee Waa’s Justin Knight the one.

Tony La Chiusa thought his best was Matt Nean.

“He was good for us,” he said.

“But everyone realised how bad a game they had. We led 12-nil and switched off. Wee Waa didn’t and played good, solid football.”