Again this weekend it was a matter of two out of three ain’t bad… with both of the men’s team’s winning on the road against Wests, and the Women’s team losing in a nail biter at home. Fun fact 1: The next round will be played on 22nd July – the exact date of the club’s 151st anniversary. Fun fact 2: Goulburn’s first grade, Goulburn’s second grade and the Wallabies all scored 31 points yesterday. Coincidence? Actually, yeah.

Here’s a look back at the weekend.

Seniors

First grade: They were never in danger of losing and accounted for Wests easily in their 31-10 win, but never really seemed to get out of second gear. The bulky Wests pack wilted early and try-scorers Matt Spratley and Taniela Halafihi and kicker Mikael Webber had Goulburn up by 12-0 after just 14 minutes. But Goulburn seemed to (no offence to Wests) drop back to their level a bit, and seemed to do just what was needed. They didn’t put their feet up on the desk. They didn’t play bad. But they also didn’t put the sword to Wests and batter them with the shock and awe domination that seemed possible. Goulburn went to the break with a 17-5 lead after Will Mooney’s try, and coach John Maxwell expressed his assessment in plain terms.

There was some improvement in the second half. Josh Condylios scored after 6 minutes back in play and Taniela Halafihi added his second seven minutes after that (both converted by Webber) to extend the lead to 31-10. The Reds looked set to roll in with it, but the referee pulled the match up 15 minutes early upon a request from a Wests official (don’t ask me, I just work here). It may seem odd to praise the Reds so strongly after last week’s loss, then be critical of yesterday’s win. Last week, under trying conditions and a mounting injury toll, it was apparent how deep each player dug and how hard they tried. This week, the passion and commitment seemed subdued and at this end of the season, a killer attitude is absolutely necessary. Still, that’s just one person’s opinion… send any hate mail to the usual address. The Reds are currently training just one night a week and will really have to knuckle down to address that killer’s hunger. Will Mooney picked up 3 best and fairest points and he shared the Players’ Player award with Josh Metz.

Second grade: Thanks to a communications SNAFU, I was unaware of the earlier start and missed the Dirty Twos first half and the start of the second in which they’d assembled a 26-0 lead. I’m not saying I’m a jinx but… upon my arrival, Wests scored four tries and equalled the scores 26-26. Make of that what you will. But from all accounts it was a dominant first half performance leading right up to the start of second half. First half tries went to Matt Spratley (who scored a double) and Cooper Camden-Smith, with Jimmy Rudd converting two of those for a 19-0 lead.

Eric Brown added a fourth try shortly into the second half, also converted by Rudd, and it appeared they had an unassailable lead. But then they were assailed. The tide turned completely with four straight tries to Wests, three of those converted, and with three minutes to go, scores were level at 26 all. Keeping their composure, the Reds toiled away on Wests line for the remaining minutes, and their patience and resilience was rewarded when Cooper Camden-Smith crossed for the match winning try. Camden Smith received 3 best and fairest points while Blake Swift was named Players’ Player.

Women’s 10s: The match between first placed (Uni-North Owlettes) and second placed (Goulburn) on the ladder was always expected to be a tough encounter, and the low score and tight finish gave proof to that. The Owlettes were first on the board with a converted try but Paige Cotterill reduced the gap with a try and then took the lead with a second try. In the final stages of tense and willing clash, a penalty try was awarded by the ref, and Uni Norths secured the win. Jordan Brooker received 3 best and fairest points, and Paige Cotterill was named Player’s Player.

• Men’s 1st grade: Goulburn 31 bt Wests 10
• Men’s 2nd grade: Goulburn 31 bt Wests 26
• Women’s 10s: Uni-Norths 14 bt Goulburn 10

Around the Grounds:

ACT Women’s 10s:

• Uni-Norths 14 bt Goulburn 10
• Royals 44 bt Jindabyne 15
• ADFA 38 bt Yass 7
• Bungendore 29 bt Hall 5

ACT 1st Division 1st grade:

• Goulburn 31 bt Wests 10
• Queanbeyan 34 bt Royals 14
• Tuggeranong 24 bt Gungahlin 17
• Uni-Norths BYE

ACT 1st Division 2nd grade:

• Goulburn 31 bt Wests 26
• Royals 50 bt Queanbeyan 29
• Gungahlin 47 bt Tuggeranong 17
• Uni-Norths BYE

Tables:

Check your stats

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

Next Round

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