Recap

Dirty Reds Women retain top spot with win over Hall

By PETE OLIVER

It wasn’t the prettiest win the Goulburn Dirty Reds women have managed, but Saturday’s 45-21 away victory over the Hall Bushrangers has seen the defending premiers maintain top spot on the ACT Women’s 10s ladder.

A perfect storm of unavailability meant the Reds were still short staffed on Thursday, until former players Paige Cotterill and Lyndal Morris agreed to pull on the boots, along with Talia Kara, who made her debut for the club.

Cotterill revelled in her new role, with the former Brumbies front rower starting on the wing. She book-ended the game with tries, finishing off a long range try started by hooker Grace Cummins gliding through the Hall defence. A shoulder injury to Sariah Mita saw Cotterill return to the forwards, and she crossed for her second right on full time, with a quick tap and showing her trademark immense strength to power over the line.

Fullback Chloe Waddell yet again showed why she’s one of Goulburn Rugby’s most valuable players, turning in another outstanding performance. Waddell carved up the Hall defence, running in some long distance tries, and looking dangerous every time she got the ball, nabbing a hat trick along the way. She backed this up with some strong defence, including running down a Hall attacker and bringing her down short of the line. It was a brilliant show of attitude and effort, despite Hall scoring from that ruck.

Goulburn looked best when they straightened up the attack, with Jordan Brooker looking dangerous from the ruck. She was George Gregan-esque at times, scooting out when Hall got lazy in defence, before promoting the ball out wide to captain Ash Mewburn. Goulburn ran with purpose off Mewburn, who set up a couple of tries, and bagged one herself. Centre Ash Deaton ran strongly all game, as did front rower Skye Rowe.

Goulburn showed a lack of cohesion at times, particularly in defence, which allowed Hall to stay in the game. There was also a lack of urgency at the ruck, both in attack and defence. This will improve as the season goes on, and with improved numbers to training.

The Bushrangers came out firing after the break, putting on two quick tries and closing the score to 24-21, before Goulburn kicked away late. They are a very good side, dangerous in attack, and with plenty of size, and they will be a force to be reckoned with as the season continues.

Unsurprisingly, Waddell picked up the three Best and Fairest points, along with players’ player. Cummins maintained her outstanding start to the season, earning two B&F points, while Mel Smith continues to improve her play every week, taking home one point.

The Reds return to Poidevin Oval this week, hosting the ever-improving Yass Ewes.

Goulburn Dirty Reds 45 (Waddell 3, Cotterill 2, Mewburn, Brooker tries, Mewburn 5 con) defeated Hall Bushrangers 21 (Molly Harris, Kirby Edwards, Marnie Watson tries, Jaimee Thompson 3 con).

Best and fairest points:

3 – Chloe Waddell
2 – Grace Cummins
1 – Melissa Smith

Players Player:

Chloe Waddell

Photos: Pete Oliver Imagery