It’s becoming a broken record, but it was a case of two out of three aint bad for the Senior Dirty Reds as they played away games at Gungahlin and Jindabyne. There were wins in first grade and women’s, and a loss in second grade. On Friday, the Fizzy Reds continue to flourish and we even have some video action this week.

Let’s look back at the weekend.

Juniors

We love to see photos and socials from Friday Fizzy Reds Fun, and this week we’re going one better thanks very much to Ana Lutsker who supplied this video. I think it’s an U10s match (please correct me if I’m wrong) and I believe Greeny’s team (the blue team?) won by 13 tries/7 conversions over Nik’s team who scored 5 tries/2 conversions. Againb, please correct me if any of that is wrong or if you have the team names.

If you have results, stories, pics, socials (and as you can see, even videos) that are in ok quality, please share them with us and we’ll share them with the world.

Seniors

Click on hyperlinks for score sheets, photos and further details. 

Women’s 10s: It seems that we can add “Goulburn Women’s 10s team winning” to that list of certainties that includes death and taxes. That’s five from five for the Goulburn women who played with no reserves and even played one short at times to beat Jindabyne by 35-10. Highlights include two tries each to Melissa Smith and Jasmine Bes, and another 100% conversion rate by skipper Ashley Mewburn.

Jordan Brooker earned three best and fairest points and Melissa Smith was named Players’ Player. A full report and photos to follow from Pete Oliver.

First grade: A really strong start, and a gutsy finish were key factors in Goulburn’s 22-17 win over Gungahlin. Picking up where they left off last week, in punishing attacking form and unbreachable defence, Goulburn had two tries on the board in the first ten minutes and another shortly before half time to lead by 19-0. But Goulburn wasn’t able to cross the line in the second half. Instead, Gungahlin scored their first try within the first ten minutes of the second section and then, in a late flurry, scored two more back to back in the 67th and 69th minute to give Goulburn a scare, but not a loss.

Did Goulburn back off the pressure or did Gungahlin rally? Bit of both. The much larger Gungahlin pack possibly had an edge in the scrum in the second half, but only slightly, but to their credit they were right up to it and ready to snatch the win. They are a team to take seriously should they show up for their return match in Goulburn. Will Mooney received 3 best and fairest points and shared the Players Player award with Dallas Brown. Another highlight was Brandon Courts’ try, which now sees him poised on 99 first grade points. This win keeps Goulburn in the top two, although with the bye next weekend, the order may begin to shuffle.

Second grade: It’s a shame we can’t say that all the hard work and effort has resulted in a win, it just hasn’t happened yet. Another unflattering scoreboard (Gungahlin won by 38-7) again doesn’t tell the tale of the tape. Goulburn trailed by 12-0 at the break and were down 19-7 shortly after the break. Gungahlin were playing ten-man rugby, limiting almost all touches to the forwards and the halves, and Goulburn had a strategy to beat it which almost came off. The Reds had two solid chances that could have turned the match around. At one stage, Goulburn crossed the line and the ref adjudicated (correctly) a knock on, and subsequently a Sitiveni Raidriwa run that seemed destined to be a runaway try was retrieved by Gungahlin who covered the length of the field several plays later for a try at the other end. Holding momentum, Gungahlin then blew out the score with some late tries.

While the score doesn’t show it, the improvement for the Dirty Twos who again were short-staffed and many playing out of position, continues. But at the end of the day, if you are saying every week that the score doesn’t indicate the match, you are doing a disservice to the oppositions. Matches turn on moments and Goulburn needs to capitalise on their moments rather than reflect on the would’ve, could’ve and should’ves. Sitiveni Raidriwa earned three best and fairest points and Campbell Kruger was named Players Player.

• Women’s 10s: Goulburn 35 bt Jindabyne 10
• Men’s 1st grade: Goulburn 22 bt Gungahlin 17
• Men’s 2nd grade: Gungahlin 38 bt Goulburn 7

Around the Grounds:

ACT 1st Division 1st grade:

• Goulburn 22 bt Gungahlin 17
• Wests 50 bt Queanbeyan 12
• Tuggeranong 36 bt Uni-Norths 21
• Royals BYE

ACT 1st Division 2nd grade:

• Gungahlin 38 bt Goulburn 7 
• Queanbeyan 46 bt Wests 10
• Uni-Norths 28 bt Tuggeranong 17
• Royals BYE

ACT Women’s 10s:

• Goulburn 35 bt Jindabyne 10
• Royals 35 bt ADFA 15
• Hall 47 bt Yass 5
• Bungendore v Uni Norths (To be played Tuesday 16 May)

Tables:

Check your stats

• 1st Grade stats
• 2nd grade stats
• Women’s stats
• Club stats

Next Round

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