By Jackson Russell at Aubrey Keech Reserve
Wyong kept pace with the top eight after a 14-6 upset win in wet conditions over Mounties away from home on Saturday afternoon.
An early mistake from Mounties gifted the Wyong side a chance to attack early. They took this opportunity with backrower Sam Bernstrom getting over to give his side a 6-0 lead after just four minutes.
Another error from Mounties put Wyong over again this time Grant Nelson touching down out wide to make it 10-0 with 10 minutes gone.
The Roo’s were looking confident and at the 20 minute mark halfback Mark Kheirallah split through the Mounties defence to score next to the post for a 14-0 lead.
As the half wore on frustrations were boiling over as both teams were spoken to in an effort to stop the game from getting out of hand as push and shove contests were becoming a regular occurrence.
This worked in the Mounties favour as they went in under the posts through a diving Kurt Horton to make the score 14-6 at halftime.
The second half started the way the first did with an error putting Wyong on the attack. However Wyong failed to capitalize with an error of their own.
With the wet condition of the field, handling errors became common place in the second half which was proving frustrating for both sides.
Tempers boiled over the 60th minute with Mounties Kyle O’Donnell and Wyong’s Eloni Vunakece sent to the bin to cool down.
Mounties had chances to close the gap in the second half but errors and discipline let them down which saw Wyong hold on for a well-deserved win on the road.
Next week see’s the Mounties host the Cutters which is looking to be a big game for both sides while Wyong travel across the ditch to face the New Zealand Warriors.
Wyong Roos 14 (S Bernstrom, G Nelson, M Kheirallah tries; M Kheirallah goal) def. Mounties 6 (K Horton try; M Cornish goal) at Aubrey Keech Reserve.
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