Wagga City has moved past drama off the field to score an important win against top five rivals Ag College at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
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The Boiled Lollies made the move to stand down three of their best players, captain Rory Sheard, Jayden Stanton and James Newnian, as a punishment for pre-game drinking.
However all three made an impact when given a chance to redeem themselves.
After being sent to play third grade, Newnian and Stanton then started to cover for the loss the ill Jordan Davies and James Curgenven, while Sheard came on midway through the first half.
Coach Nathan Honeyman was impressed with how the trio, and the rest of the team, responded.
“It was extremely positive,” Honeyman said.
“The boys stood up and that is all we could ask for.
“They took responsibility and showed exactly what teamwork is all about.”
Wagga City took control early in the 26-15 win.
They took a 14-3 lead in half-time before scoring after two tries.
Sheard scored twice in the win and Honeyman said he stood tall when his team needed him to perform.
“I think he really understood our philosophy and culture,” Honeyman said.
“The same for James and Jayden and those boys all stood up.”
Ag College did start to fight back, with Mike van Diggelen and John Monk crossing, but it was too little too late.
The win sees Wagga City moved around Aggies and into fourth place on the ladder.
Honeyman was pleased to gain a little breathing room ahead of an important clash at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
“It is a game we need to win as well,” he said.
“Having played Tumut last time in Tumut and being 26-0 up at half-time we need to make sure we can be ahead and stay ahead.”
Wagga City came into the clash coming off back-to-back losses against Leeton and Waratahs.
Honeyman thought the mid-season break did his team well.
“I think having the bye really helped us gel as a team and understand what Wagga City’s culture is about,” he said.
James Maloney also had a strong game while playing against his old team Keifer Power was judged best on ground.
Ag College captain Tom Macleay said the team failed to play its normal game.
“We probably played our structures for 20 minutes of the game and that is where we scored all our points,” Macleay said. “The other 60 we just got a little bit lost throughout the middle.”
Aggies face a crucial game against Griffith on Saturday, with the Blacks just two points adrift in the hunt for the finals.
