#YTT2020 Day 1 Wrap-Up

The rivalry was hot but Newcastle took it easy on the athletes after yesterday's 40-plus temps for training in.

The day began with a loss for Australia, with New Zealand the better team in the second half of the 18s Mixed.

The Aussie 18s Girls started the series strong, driving it home in the second half for a big 9-2 win, including a hat-trick by Aussie Sharni Vilila.

The 18s Boys saw a good tussle. New Zealand was up 5-4 at half-time but Australia came out of the break with a point to prove, putting three successive tries on the board to regain control that they managed to maintain for a solid 11-7 victory.

The 20s was another tight Mixed division. After Australia dominated in the first half for a comfortable half-time lead, New Zealand strung together back-to-back tries to level the score then take the lead. The roller-coaster ended with Australia one up, 8-7.

The Kiwis gave the Emus a good run for their money in the Girls 20s, particularly McKayler Moore who scored in the first half and followed with another two tries in the second. Australia managed to hold the lead though, with a 9-7 win.

The day ended with a fifth Aussie victory in the Boys 20s. Cooper Marshall claimed a hat-trick in the first half, and while New Zealand managed to come back in the second, Australia defeated New Zealand 7-4.

RESULTS 18s Mixed: NZ 6 def. Aus 5 18s Girls: Aus 9 def. NZ 2 18s Boys: Aus 11 def. NZ 7 20s Mixed: Aus 8 def. NZ 7 20s Girls: Aus 9 def. NZ 7 20s Boys: Aus 7 def. NZ 4