While there were two losses and just one win in Goulburn Rugby Club senior rugby this weekend, there was still a lot to cheer about. Firstly the women’s team is through to the grand final after winning by the slimmest of margins against minor premiers Uni-Norths whom they haven’t beaten previously this year. Secondly, first grades three point loss in the high-scoring encounter with minor premiers Tuggeranong ensured them of second spot and two bites at the cherry in next week’s minor premiers, and thirdly second grade led for 49 minutes and then only lost by 5 points in a gripping final end to their season.
On top of that, Mikael Webber played his 300th game (in which he surpassed 100 points for the season), Ben Todkill played his 200th game (in which he notched up 300+ first grade points) and Rob Sheekey played his 150th game, making his first club tackle in the process. I’M KIDDING! He didn’t make a tackle.
Let’s have a look back at the weekend.
Seniors
Click on hyperlinks for score sheets, photos and further details.
Women’s 10s: Talk about producing the goods when needed!!! This match, the ACT Women’s 10s major semi-final, paired Goulburn up against minor premiers Uni-Norths – a team that has beaten Goulburn twice this year. But that track record and their higher placement on the table counted for nothing in a tough match where both sides left it all on the field. In a high-pressure game, Ash Mewburn’s women delivered in spades securing the most nail-bitingest of nail-biting results in their 27-26 win.
Pete Oliver’s blow by blow match report of this truly memorable result will follow shortly. The Women have next weekend off and will then meet the winner of Uni-Norths and ADFA on 19 August (Bold prediction… Goulburn v ADFA grand final).
1st Grade: I say this like a broken record… sport is not the least bit emotional and or sentimental… it’s the people who play it and follow it that are. While it would have been nice for Mikael Webber and Ben Todkill to have a win as they brought up their 300th and 200th games respectively (and possibly in their last home ground matches), it doesn’t always go the way you’d like. But the match did produce a high scoring close finish, did send the boys off to the major semi, and produced an extra couple of milestones for Webber and Todkill.
The game started well for Goulburn… up 14-7 after 15 minutes and still level at 14-14 at the 23 minute mark. But then came a barrage of Tuggeranong tries… three more before half time to have Tuggeranong ahead 35-14 at the break. Goulburn stemmed the scoring in the second half but, as in the first half, denied any significant amount of possession on the back end of a heavy penalty count, could do little. Sometimes in games one individual effort can turn around and that came midway through the second half when Taniela Halafihi set off upfield in a lengthy stepping run that seemed to energise the Goulburn team. With ten minutes remaining, Goulburn scored a try. Again in the 63rd minute and again at full time. Had it not been for a Tuggeranong penalty goal two minutes from the end, Goulburn would have drawn with the minor premiers.
As it was, scored two bonus points for scoring four tries and finishing within 7 points of Tuggeranong, which elevated Goulburn into second place and the minor semi. They’ll meet Tuggeranong again next week and will work on maintaining the intensity and enthusiasm for the full game. 300 game veteran, who scored 13 points and brought up 100 points for the season, was named Players Player while Taniela Halafihi received three best and fairest points.
2nd Grade: It wasn’t a win but it was pretty bloody close as the Dirty Twos finished season 2023 with a 26-31 loss. The Reds put in a very strong start with tries to Jacob Kara and Jack White within the first 15 minutes. Tuggeranong replied with two tries of their own but Brandon Courts kicked two penalty goals for Goulburn to put them ahead 16-10 at the break. Another Courts penalty goal soon after the resumption put Goulburn ahead by three more points but the Vikings responded with two tries to be up 24-19 midway through the second half. Not lying down, the Reds crossed the line again through Cooper Camden-Smith to be back in front with nine minutes on the clock but Tuggeranong regathered the lead, and the win, with a try three minutes from full time.
This was a very enjoyable and close game for Goulburn, with an initial solid lead, consistent effort and no real weak patches. While they only won 2 games this season, there were 4-5 others that could easily have been their’s with just a few minor changes. They have borne the brunt of the many injuries this year and shepherded in a host of new players to the club. Season 2023 may not have produced many wins for the Dirty Twos but it provided a very enjoyable season of football and unearthed a lot of talent we’ll be hearing about for years to come.
Game highlights included Rob Sheekey’s 150th and career ending match, and Justin Benn’s most likely last ever home game. Justin was named Players Player and Jack White received the 3 best and fairest points.
Goulburn’s Results
- Women’s 10s: Goulburn 27 bt Uni Norths 26
- Men’s 1st Grade: Tuggeranong 38 bt Goulburn 35
- Men’s 2nd Grade: Tuggeranong 31 bt Goulburn 26
Around the Grounds:
ACT Women’s 10s:
- Goulburn 27 bt Uni Norths 26
- ADFA 48 bt Jindabyne 12
ACT 1st Division 1st Grade:
- Tuggeranong 38 bt Goulburn 35
- Uni-Norths 43 bt Queanbeyan 5
- Gungahlin 39 bt Royals 10
- Wests BYE
ACT 1st Division 2nd grade:
- Tuggeranong 31 bt Goulburn 26
- Queanbeyan 38 bt Uni-Norths 21
- Royals 33 bt Gungahlin 28
- Wests BYE
Tables:
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