Country made it three wins from three games on day two of the NSWRL representative weekend after defeating City 24-14 in the NSW Men’s Police Country v City game at Leichhardt Oval.
The first try of the match came off the back of a floating bomb by Country halfback Josh Parrish which gave his side the perfect bounce and it was centre Dane Clarke who finished it off. Parrish converted to put his side 6-0 in front.
Not long after, Clark scored his second of the afternoon, and Parrish again added the extras to extend Country’s lead to 12-0.
When the City side needed something, it was a Charlie Buttrose bomb and Marcus Creais put-down that delivered, bringing the score to 12-4.
Not long after, Country were deep inside City’s territory and had started to mount pressure until an intercept from City five-eighth Jaydon Fa’avae-Eli got his side into prime field position. While it looked like they had bombed a certain try moments later, they eventually cracked Country’s defence when David Farkas turned the ball inside to Mathewson Johns who crashed over. Scott Hartigan converted to bring his side within two points.
Country’s kicking game was exceptional to start the second half, with towering bombs and short grubbers forcing errors and repeat sets as the pressure on City started to build.
After weathering the storm of Country’s attacking kicks, City were able to score next through Marcus Creais who scored his double with an incredible finish in the corner, giving City their first lead of the game at 14-12.
With the game well and truly in the balance, Rhys Fagerland stepped up when his side needed him most with some crafty dummy half play that saw him crash over next to the uprights. Parrish added the extras to put Country ahead 18-14 with just nine minutes remaining.
With four minutes to go it was Fagerland again who stepped up for Country carrying several defenders over the line. Parrish added the extras and Country ran away 24-14 winners.
Score: Country def City 24-14
Tries: Country - Dane Clark (2), Rhys Fagerland (2); City - Marcus Creais (2), Mathewson Johns.
Conversions: Country - Josh Parrish 4/4; City - Scott Hartigan 1/3
