Recap

A strong win and a massive milestone launches Goulburn first grade season

By CHRIS GORDON

In this milestone year for the Goulburn Rugby Club as it celebrates 150 years since formation, the Goulburn Dirty Reds first grade side celebrated their first home game of the season with a solid 54-14 win over Wests that included some significant club milestones along the way.

Mikael Webber, already the club’s leading scorer and the highest scorer in ACT & Southern NSW history, brought up 2,500 first grade points for the club along with a personal haul of 24 points in the game.

Playing at flanker instead of his more regular number eight, Webber earned both the Players’ Player award and three Best and Fairest points in a performance that included two of his own tries and a hand in several of the others.

The Wests pack that opposed the Reds was large and fit, and the Goulburn forwards had their job cut out for them.

As a season opener for both sides, it took a while to find their feet and find a way through but twelve minutes in, Ben Todkill crossed the line for Goulburn, bringing up 300 club points in the process. Webber scored ten minutes later but Wests were quick to reply closing the gap to 14-7.

Adam Lachlan added a third for Goulburn bang on half time and the Reds were up 21-7 at the break.

It was a healthy start but coach Ben Pearson, as he has done time and time again, gave corrective tips that led to an even stronger second half.

Five more Goulburn tries would follow, along with Webber’s milestone 2,500 first grade points three minutes into the second section.

Will Mooney, Brad Clements and Josh Condylios all grabbed five pointers before Webber added his second try.

With eight minutes left on the clock, Wests replied with try number two but there was still a second try left to come for Todkill.

The final score was a fair indication of the team’s performance although it should be noted that Wests travelled with just a few reserves and had reported a number of COVID and holiday related absences. It may be a different scenario for the return bout in Canberra.

Wests had notified Goulburn of a reserve grade forfeit the Friday before the match so the Dirty Twos are yet to launch their 2022 campaign.

The first grade match began with an inauspicious start with no ACT appointed referee on hand, but Dirty Red player and former first grade coach Justin “Ricky Bobby” Benn agreed to take the whistle in a performance that was short on stoppages and big on entertaining, flowing rugby.

The match was a true showcase for the loose forwards, and all three were represented in the judges deliberations.

Best and fairest points went to Mik Webber (3), Jordan Wilcox (2) and Brad Clements (1) with Adam Lachlan (1). Player’s Player was Mik Webber and the new “Grittiest Player”, sponsored by Git Café, went to hooker Tim Moule.

Next weekend Goulburn firsts and second will play Queanbeyan Whites in another home game, joined by the Women’s team who will be playing ADFA, also at Goulburn Rugby Park.

Goulburn 54 (Mik Webber 2, Ben Todkill 2, Adam Lachlan, Will Mooney, Brad Clements, Luke Condylios tries, Webber 7 conversions) bt Wests 14. 

PHOTOS: EMILY STANBERG

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By the clock:

First half

• 12  Ben Todkill try, converted by Mik Webber (7-0)
• 22  Mik Webber try and conversion (14-0)
• 29 Wests try and conversion (14-7)
• 34 Adam Lachlan try, Webber conversion (21-7)

Second half

• 38 Will Mooney try, Mik Webber conversion … and 2500 1st grade points for Webber (28-7)
• 42 Brad Clements try (33-7)
• 49 Josh Condylios try, Mik Webber conversion (40-7)
• 57 Mikael Webber try and conversion (47-7)
• 62 Wests try and conversion (47-14)
• 64 Ben Todkill try, Mik Webber conversion (54 – 14)