GLEN Innes won their Group 19 local derby with Guyra 44-22 but Saturday’s win posed more questions than answers for the Magpies.
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One player declined to vote for the players’ player award, stating that no one deserved a vote while coach Nick Ehsman was left to lament that “we played for only 20 minutes”.
But Guyra played with plenty of spirit, typified by a lion-hearted effort from former Glen local, prop Scott Miller and a three-try performance from half Kyle Mongta.
Glen had started smartly and posted early tries to five- eighth Ben Vidler, who darted from dummy half and veteran winger Will Newberry who crossed in the corner.
Leading by 10 after just seven minutes may have given the Magpies a false impression of the opposition for they soon fell into error and Mongta grabbed the first of his hat-trick.
But Glen was on top for the remainder of the first half, despite failing to complete five sets in a row at one stage.
Todd Cameron, Craig Browne, Lee Funnell and Chris Pedlow all grabbed four pointers in the lead-up to half-time when Glen led 34-4.
The half-time break was probably the worst thing for Glen as they came out after the break and made error after error.
Guyra made good use of the possession and fullback Brock Laybutt scored a brilliant individual try from long range to inspire the Spuds.
Mongta crossed for his second three minutes later, immediately followed by another and the score was suddenly 34-18.
Glen was shocked into some action and Browne’s bullocking run led to his second try and Cameron got his double soon after to snuff out any chance of a major upset but Guyra got the final try with 12 minutes left.
Glen’s Funnell and Guyra lock Ike Roberts got involved in a scuffle and were both sin-binned with 10 minutes remaining and the game was called off two minutes later when a Guyra player required ambulance attention.
It was a low-key end to a game that seldom excited the crowd.
“It was a very disappointing game but we got the two points,” Ehsman said.
“We played for about twenty minutes in the first half but simply forget the second (half) – we were terrible.
“Our completions were poor and we got very lazy. Guyra had a couple of very quick little blokes and they pulled our pants down on several occasions.”
Hooker Beau Orchard, Roberts and Mongta were excellent for Guyra while Miller impressed with multiple strong carries in the centre.
Best for Glen were Cameron, Browne and lock Jamie Watts.