Recap

Dirty Reds Women first loss in 10s competition

By PETE OLIVER

An extraordinarily brave and undermanned Goulburn Dirty Reds Women have gone down swinging against the Jindabyne Miss Piggies.

Goulburn conceded four first-half tries and were on the back foot for much of the game, eventually going down 25-15 as Jindabyne sought revenge for the 66-10 drubbing the last time the teams played.

The Reds were missing several players due to other commitments or injury, and further injuries during the game meant the Reds were forced to play with only nine players at stages. However, nothing should detract from Jindabyne, who were outstanding across the field, with their backline punching holes in the Reds’ defence.

While the loss is Goulburn’s first ever in a 10s competition, after going through the 2019 season undefeated, they still hold a ten-point lead at the top of the competition ladder.

Stand in captain Jordan Brooker was Goulburn’s best on ground. The halfback was sharp around the ruck with darting runs, and made an absolute pest at herself at the breakdown. It was fitting she wore the 7 jersey on Saturday, often latching onto Jindabyne’s ball and forcing a number of turnovers.

Jindabyne crossed first, launching a 60m counterattack after a Goulburn mistake, and things continued to get worse for the home team when prop Olivia Philipp went off after a nasty head clash.

Miss Piggies doubled their lead shortly after, putting the ball through the backline from a scrum, and things were starting to look ominous for Goulburn.

The Reds looked at the best when they controlled the ruck. The first time they managed to string phases together, they scored. Brooker showed tremendous vision to dart from the ruck and into the Jindabyne backfield, offloading to Maddy Campbell to score under the posts.

But Goulburn couldn’t capitalise on the momentum, conceding a try shortly afterwards when a line drop-out went awry, allowing the visitors to run in another five-pointer.

Things got worse when talismanic prop Siu Latavao was left on the ground clutching her knee just before halftime. Latavao gritted her teeth and played on until the break when she could receive some strapping. However, the knee continued to trouble her, and the Reds had to play with nine players for periods of the second half while she received treatment.

Despite conceding a try not long after the break, Goulburn were by far the better team in the second half, outscoring Jindabyne 10-5. Stand in playmaker Chloe Waddell scored Goulburn’s second try, which again followed a period of controlled phases from the Reds.

The Reds finished with great momentum, with Hope Cohen powering over to score on the final play of the game and reduce the gap. But Goulburn simply ran out of time before they could overrun the visitors.

Special thanks should go to referee Glenn Zucchetto, who stepped in at late notice to officiate. Zucchetto kept the game flowing and allowed both teams to get into the match.

It’ll be a big week at training for the Reds, who will need to tighten up their ruck work, before they head to Bungendore to take on the Mudchicks next week.

Unsurprisingly, Brooker collected the three Best and Fairest points, along with Players’ Player. Latavao was awarded the two points for her gutsy effort to play on despite an obviously painful knee injury, while Sass Cudaj was given one point for a typically energetic and assertive showing in a cameo appearance.

Front rower Sariah Mita continues to improve every week, and this game was no exception. She was heavily involved in everything, picking up the Grit Cafe award for her efforts.

Jindabyne Miss Piggies 25 (Marshall 2, Rankin, Fryer, Watkin tries) bt Goulburn Dirty Reds 15 (Campbell, Waddell, Cohen tries).

Photos: PETE OLIVER.

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