By Trent Thomas
The Illawarra Cutters were narrowly defeated 24-20 by the Wyong Roos at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
The loss came in the dying minutes as the Cutters were unable to hold out the side from the Central Coast who were camped on their line.
The match started well for the side from the Illawarra with the Cutters notching the first try in the 14th minute through winger Kiti Glymin who touched the ball down in the corner to get his side on the board.
This would be the only try for the half for the Cutters as Wyong would score two for themselves before the break.
At half time Wyong led 10-6.
It did not take long for the Cutters to strike in the second stanza with Glymin scoring his second down the flank to give the Cutters a 12-10 lead in the 48th minute.
The game was turned on its head in the 52nd minute when front rower Rory O’Brien was sin binned for a professional foul which allowed Wyong to even up the scores with a penalty kick.
While one man down the Cutters continued to play good football and Glymin got his third for the day powering over in impressive fashion.
The 67th minute saw the Cutters take a strategic move and extend their lead to eight points through a penalty goal from in front to Shannon Crook.
Unfortunately, this lead was not enough as Wyong was able to chase it down in the dying seconds after spending a majority of the last ten minutes in Cutters territory.
They sealed the match with a try to Abraham Papalii in the 80th minute.
Illawarra Cutters 20. Tries: Glymin (3). Goals: Crook (3/3). Penalty Goal: Crook (1/1).
Wyong Roos 24. Tries: Stapleton, Williams, Pulu, Papalii. Goals: Stapleton (4/4).
