City U16s prove too good for Country

City have opened the annual Country v City weekend with a dominant 54-10 win over Country in the Under 16s match at Leichhardt Oval today.

City halfback Lachlan Metcalf stole the show after guiding his team around the park for an impressive win, while centre Jeziah Papa was named Player of the Match after bagging a double.

City winger Cyrus Bloomfield bagged a hat-trick while centre Braith Sloane also grabbed a double in a game that City always looked in control of after taking a 34-4 lead into half-time.

Country opened the scoring early through winger Chip Valentish who crossed in the fourth minute (4-0).

City wasted no time in levelling the scores through centre Braith Sloane who crossed for a try before back-rower Samuel Polley added another four points to extend the lead (10-4).

City went back-to-back from the kick-off, breaking through the line to race 30 metres downfield before finding winger Cyrus Bloomfield who scored close to the posts (16-4).

Holding momentum for the final 10 minutes of the opening half, City went on to score three unanswered tries – with centre Papa grabbing his double before the break (34-4).

Despite trailing by 30 heading into second half, Country came out firing and tested City in attack on each set.

The pressure eventually paid off when Country were the first to find the line through forward Mitchell Sleigh who broke past the defence to score under the posts.

Five-eighth Chase Butler converted to reduce the margin to 34-10.

City responded through a great individual try from winger Bloomfield (38-10) and scored another three tries in the final five to seal an impressive victory.

City 54 (Cyrus Bloomfield 3, Jeziah Papa 2, Braith Sloane 2, Samuel Polley, Cruz Death, Talmage Brown tries; Lachlan Metcalf 7 goals) Country 10 (Chip Valentish, Mitchell Sleigh tries: Chase Butler 1 goal).