WEST WYALONG KNOCKOUT
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SOUTHCITY captain-coach Daniel Fitzhenry has predicted English import Shaun Ainscough will form an impressive combination with ageless halfback Glendon Morris as the Bulls shoot for Group Nine glory this year.
- GALLERY: West Wyalong Knockout
Reflecting on Southcity’s runaway 14-0 victory over Woden Valley in the West Wyalong Knockout final at Ron Crowe Oval on Saturday night, Fitzhenry brushed aside criticism of Ainscough’s efforts at the two-day tournament.
“I was impressed (with Ainscough),” Fitzhenry said yesterday.
“He’s very quick on his feet and strong.
“He was heavily marked, but I was happy with him.
“I was happy with everyone, they all stood up.”
Coming after some pundits panned Ainscough, Fitzhenry’s strong backing for the English speedster is a much fairer and appropriate appraisal.
Playing his first football since leaving England last year, Ainscough did not fall short of expectations as Southcity rampaged through the West Wyalong Knockout.
After opening the carnival with a resounding 22-10 win over Darlington Point Coleambally in a first round game on Friday night, the Bulls conceded only one try in three games the following night.
In a dominant performance, Southcity defied Temora 8-0 in a quarter-final before downing Bidgee Hurricanes 12-4 in a semi-final.
Seeking to defend the knockout title the team won for the first time last year, Southcity overwhelmed Woden Valley 14-0 in the final, pocketing $8000 in the process.
Despite scoring three to nil, the Bulls had to work hard to polish off the Canberra team, which earned its place in the decider by sweeping aside Tullibigeal Lakes United 10-0 in a semi-final.
With defence at a premium, Woden Valley and Southcity were locked at nil-all at half-time before the Bulls blasted on three tries in the second half as the Rams ran out of steam.
Inspired by a dynamic display by Kiwi hooker Pani Manawatu, Southcity surged to its second successive knockout crown, with Manawatu later picking up a $500 award for his heroics in the decider.
Fitzhenry yesterday agreed with Manawatu’s rating as a star of the final, but also delivered wholesome praise for Ainscough and Morris.
“Glendon’s got a footy head on him and he takes the pressure of me,” Fitzhenry said.
“He’s got great vision and I can see Shaun working up a great partnership with him.
“They (Morris and Ainscough) are on the same side of the field and Glendon throws such a great ball.”
One of the enduring veterans of rugby league in Wagga, Morris was in superb touch at the knockout and is set to be first-string halfback for the Bulls in the Group Nine premiership.
As much as Morris and Manawatu carved up at the carnival, Fitzhenry was adamant the form of the Bulls pack was the underlying advantage for the smaller men.
“All the forwards stood up,” Fitzhenry said.
“I was really pleased with them all.”
Ainscough, meantime, has pace and power on his side and will be a dangerous weapon for Southcity.