The Temora Rugby Union Club men’s team (Tuskers) has slipped to a fourth straight defeat in the Central West Rugby Union South West Fuels Cup competition last Saturday. The Tuskers were left searching for answers after another late lapse saw victory slip from their grasp in a frustrating 22-10 defeat, in a hard-fought away game against the Young Yabbies at Cranfield Oval. In a game where defence dominated for long periods, the Tuskers again surrendered momentum and the lead in the closing stages as the Yabbies stormed home to claim the Adam McGregor Shield. The Tuskers’ joint coach Kris Dunstan said the clash was far closer than the final score suggested. He said the opening half developed into a tense arm wrestle, with neither side able to crack the opposition’s defensive line. “The home side edged ahead through the boot, slotting three penalty goals to take a 9-3 advantage into the halftime break, while our only points came from a Ryan Jordan penalty on the stroke of halftime,” Dunstan said. “We emerged from the sheds with renewed energy and quickly wrestled back control of the contest. “Our persistence was rewarded when winger Connor Hawkesworth crossed for our only try of the afternoon, with Jordan producing an impressive sideline conversion to briefly hand us the lead. “However, just as we did the previous week, we were unable to maintain the intensity deep into the contest.” For the second straight week, the Tuskers were unable to sustain the intensity deep into the contest as the Yabbies regained control in the final quarter. The home side capitalised on the shift in momentum, running in two late tries to snatch back the lead and secure local bragging rights with victory in the Adam McGregor Shield clash. Despite the loss, there were several strong individual performances for the Tuskers. “Tireless flanker Zac Breust was outstanding from start to finish and was clearly our best, while hooker Declan Reardon battled hard all afternoon in the middle,” Dunstan said. “Charles Hogan also produced a strong performance in a beaten forward pack. “Centre Malaki earned the Players’ Player award after another determined performance in the midfield. “Ryan Jordan enjoyed a perfect afternoon with the boot, finishing with a penalty goal and a conversion.” The repeated inability to close out matches is a growing concern for coaches Dunstan and Luke Jordan after the Tuskers again let a winning position slip. The Tuskers now face a daunting challenge in the next round when they host the defending premiers, the Boorowa Goldies, on Saturday at 2.45pm.
