A FAST start helped Wagga City to an opening round win over CSU at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
The Boiled Lollies scored the first three tries before the Reddies fought back gallantly, but couldn’t reel in their rivals who claimed the first Peter Franks Cup with a 35-19 win.
Leading 18-12 at the break, both teams scored a try to start the second half before kicked away late.
Returning coach Mick Small was impressed with the first round performance, particularly how his forwards were able to get on top of an understrength Reddies pack.
“CSU as they always go got back into the fight and it was a good, physical match,” Small said.
“They stuck it to us for the whole 80 minutes, but I think we won the battle of the forwards more than anything.
“Once we won the wrestle in the forwards our backs were able to get some room to move and score some really nice tries.”
After finishing off the season well, claiming the second tier premiership, and good performances in the pre-season Small was happy with how the team put everything together.
“It’s hard to judge through pre-season where you are at, we played well through pre-season but 15-a-side and 80 minutes is completely different,” Small said.
“But the whole team effort was very, very positive.
“Every individual was given a job to do and I couldn’t name one player that didn’t do it.”
Young gun Jesse Uhr has impressed on his first grade debut for Wagga City.
After coming through the club's junior ranks, Uhr played at fullback and scored two tries in the 16-point win.
Small named him as one of the team’s best players
“For a young guy making his first grade at 18 years of age was absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
