SG Ball 2021: Elliott Whitehead’s apprentice Clay Webb making big strides for the Raiders
Raiders star Elliott Whitehead has been working closely with Canberra’s SG Ball skipper Clay Webb and it’s paying off, with the youngster emerging as a star of the junior competition.
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Raiders fans, get excited — Elliott Whitehead has a young apprentice.
The Englishman has been working closely with Canberra’s SG Ball skipper Clay Webb and the youngster has wasted no time applying his trade.
Webb, who is on a NRL development contract with Canberra, scored three tries in the Raiders’ 56-12 demolition of the North Sydney Bears on Saturday.
“He’s doing a bit of work with and shadowing Elliott Whitehead at training, obviously Elliott’s got a great work ethic and range of skills,” Raiders SG Ball coach Ash Barnes said.
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“Clay isn’t just a line running back-rower, he’s got a little more to him. He’s also got a really good work ethic and does all the little things too.”
Canberra recorded a massive 12 tries against the Bears, with skipper Webb and centre Deakin Bright both claiming hat tricks.
After Round 4, the Green Machine remains undefeated and firmly on top of the SG Ball ladder.
“We had a lot of guys score tries across the park which shows me that as a team we’re really starting to click and understand how we want to play” Barnes said.
In Cabramatta, the Eels and Steelers couldn’t be separated and finished all locked up on 20-20.
Illawarra benefited from the return of five-eighthJunior Amone and fullback Tyrell Sloan, who showed off what they learnt from training with the Dragons NRL squad.
“We are really happy with the second-half performance, the effort areas we’ve been working on. When the momentum wasn’t going their way, they just seemed to turn it up,” Steelers SG Ball coach Glenn Buffolin said.
“They went to Mudgee with the (Dragons) Charity Shield squad, Junior and Tyrell. They’ve brought energy to the group and belief in the team.”
Parramatta gave up their 12-point lead at half time but refused to let Illawarra finish with the win. Five-eighth Josh Chappell threatened to break through in the dying minutes, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
“We completed 4/14 in the second half and gave away a 7-2 penalty count, which you can’t do, no matter what age group, you just invite the other team back into it, we’re lucky to get the one point to be honest,” Eels’ Elite Pathways Coaching Director Joey Grima said. “Josh Chappell was probably one of the best on the park, he kicked a 40/20, kicked three from three, his kicking game was phenomenal. He really threatened in the last 20 minutes, he opened it up.”
Around the grounds, the Roosters’ star centre Jordan Swann scored three tries as Sydney punished the Thunderbolts 40-6 in Melbourne.
The Sea Eagles, Sharks and Bunnies also recorded Round 4 wins.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
Eels lock Myles Martin scored two entertaining tries in his side’s 28-12 victory over the Steelers. Parramatta showed great discipline to hold off Illawarra’s second half surge — inspired by gritty centre James Walsh — and Charlie Guymer and Cooper Sinclair were electric in attack.
Penrith survived a serious scare from the 13th-placed Bulldogs to win 12-10 and retain their spot on top of the table.
Sydney Roosters winger Cooper Toy was an absolute handful for the Roosters Central Coast side, scoring a hat trick in his side’s 18-12 win.
Around the grounds, Cronulla, Manly, North Sydney and Newcastle also recorded victories.
TARSHA GALE CUP
Steelers Lily Rogan, Teagan Berry and Annabel McDonald each bagged doubles in their 42-12 thrashing of the Eels. Parramatta started strong, with Ruby-Jean Kennard and Losalio Sita Payne crossing early, but Illawarra was too classy at Cabramatta. The Knights and Raiders also prevailed in Round 4.
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