Recap

Dirty Twos notch up first away win of the season

By CHRIS GORDON

In an engrossing sixty minutes of rugby, the Goulburn Dirty Twos put together their best match of the season so far, and their first win on the road, outlasting Royals for a 12-7 victory.

If you like your tussles tight and your contests close, this was the match for you. Two sides effectively blunting each other’s attack while struggling to gain the whip hand.

Locked nil-all at half-time, Goulburn was matching all aspects of the game with their opponents and if anything held a slight advantage. Royals were locked in their own half for all of the first 12 minutes, but Goulburn was unable to convert that early pressure into points.

As the match progressed, Royals started to gain a better share of territorial advantage, but were equally unable to break the line.

Reserve grade loose-forwards Jack Burke, Liam Levoshko and Michael Cooke – possibly the strongest back three Goulburn has fielded in this grade for many years – were hungry and indefatigable at the breakdown forcing plenty of turnover, but Royals defended soundly.

Out the back, the bomb squad of Josh Condylios, Angus Dalglish and Jarrod Thompson, routinely defused the high ball and returned it strongly into play but Royals were again equal to the task.

Though not a perfect first half by either side, it was gripping, arm-wrestle, popcorn-munching stuff.

The second half began promisingly for Goulburn with (and here’s an expression I’ve never used before) a piece of Nick Tabner genius. Tabner returned a deep Royals kick-off with a sideline-following punt of his own that mesmerised and bamboozled the Royals winger who fumbled and bobbled the ball before directing it over the line some 50 metres downfield.

But again, the scrappy contest between the sides returned.

Prop Meki Masunu was a powerhouse in the scrum and in line-running but again, the try-line proved elusive for the Reds.

Nine minutes into the second half Royals were first to cross the line for a converted try that broke the deadlock, and things only worsened for Goulburn five minutes later when the ref gave Jacob Kara a ten-minute break.

Strong runs by Jack Burke and Sean Giumelli up the right-hand flank looked good chances of scoring only to be halted in their tracks, but Abram Kara, no doubt doing time in reserve grade as penance for his bombed try a few weeks ago, atoned both for that missed opportunity and for his sibling’s transgression with back-to-back tries in the 52^nd and 58^th minute, the second converted by Josh Metz for the 12-7 lead.

The closing few minutes, like the rest of the match, were tense and keenly contested with both sides sensing a win was within their grasp. But the Dirty Twos proved the stronger, holding off the eager Royals side to notch up their first away win of the season.

The most obvious improvement in the Dirty Twos was evident in the linkages being formed between units getting used to playing together. With two Canberra teams forfeiting to the Dirty Twos this year, and numbers at training less than ideal, the side has struggled at times to play as a cohesive team but in this match you could see the pieces coming together.

Just why the match was reduced from the competition-required 70 minutes is a mystery best explained by Royals, but the decision didn’t favour either side.

Meki Masunu received three best and fairest points for the match, with Kyle Ruhnau receiving two and one each to Liam Levoshko and Josh Metz. Levoshko was voted Players’ Player.

Next weekend all Goulburn senior grades have the long-weekend bye. The following weekend (Saturday 18 June), the women’s side will play Jindabyne at home while the men are on the road to play Gungahlin who presumably won’t forfeit as they don’t have to travel.

Goulburn 12 (Abram Kara 2, Josh Metz conversion) bt Royals 7.

By the clock:

• HALF-TIME: 0-0
• 39 mins – Royals converted try 0-7
• 44 mins – Jacob Kara yellow card
• 52 mins – Abram Kara try 5-7
• 58 mins – Abram Kara try, Josh Metz Conversion 12-7

Photos: PETE OLIVER.

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