BIG CHANGES IN CUTTER LAND
By Peter (Parra) Montgomery
The Hay Cutters Rugby Union Club has been elevated to the top division of Southern Inland Rugby Union competition for the 2020 season.
The announcement was made at the Club’s Annual General meeting held at the Hay Bowling Club last Wednesday.
The Club has also nominated a team for the Women’s Ten a side tackle competition, following a successful debut season by the Cutlets in 2019.
The Cutters, as a Club, was desperate to see the Cutlets get the opportunity to ‘grow’ - and in order to achieve that goal, the Cutters had to step up into the top grade.
The Cutters had success in the First Grade in 1998, when the Jim Ives coached team won the (then) Romano Cup with a thrilling last minute win over Leeton Phantoms, with Cutters five-eighth Declan Horan landing a pressure penalty goal to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat 25-24.
The Club has had success in lower grade competitions such as the McMullen Cup, but matches at home were sporadic, and the move back into First Grade against the ‘big boys” and larger communities will be played on a home and away , providing plenty of Rugby for the key Union supporters in Hay.
Manning Doughty has been re-appointed coach for the ‘re-entry” and has recruited Bernard Schiller, Charlie Wythes and Shannon Mitchell as assistant coaches.
Cutters coach Manning Doughty said he and the Club were looking forward to the challenge ahead,
“ I see it as the best way forward for the club. It won’t be an easy road but it will be rewarding if we hook in.
“Charlie Wythes has come on board to concentrate on conditioning the players so that we are physically ready and Bernard will be helping to coach the Cutlets.
“Shannon is again doing defence and skills while also helping Rob (Neill) on the sideline. 30 years of Cutter Rugby in 2020.” the coach said
He said that the return to the top division for the Cutters is just what the players have been asking for.
“They want to test themselves against the best. They know it will be hard and wins may be few and far between, but they are doing it because it is hard, and not because it will be easy.
“The players will need to be fitter than ever, so it means they will be required to lift their efforts on the training track. I have no doubt that the boys know what to expect and can lift themselves for the challenge ahead” the coach said.
The Annual General Meeting was very well attended, with the Cutters, Whipper Snippers and the Cutlets well represented.
There has been a change in the leadership of the Club, with long term President Justin Campbell and hardworking Secretary Catelyn Jubb both ‘retiring” from the Club’s administration.
Mr Campbell has held the top post for 11 seasons - in two stints -(Jock Campbell was President in 2014), while Ms Jubb has been Secretary for the past seven.
Both Justin and Catelyn were given thanks by all in attendance for the diligence and excellent manner in which they carried out their duties.
Campbell’s position as President has been taken by a Cutter stalwart Simon Booth, a man who has legend status with the Cutters’ faithful.
Simon has had a long association with the Club, is a Life Member and a player who played a ‘motza’ of games with the Club starting in 1993 and being a member of the 1998 premiership victory.
He has been heavily involved in the growth of the Junior Cutters through the Whipper Snippers, with his children being players in that ‘arm of the Club”.
The Club was unable to fill the Secretary’s position, Catelyn’s shoes being a tough task to step into.
The position has been held ‘open’ and it is expected to be filled soon.
Deniliquin Drovers will follow the Cutters in the draw, as a second grade team. Clubs will remain as separate identities.
