Recap

Dirty Reds teach Uni a lesson

The Goulburn Workers Club Dirty Reds continued their undefeated start to the season with a comprehensive 57-5 win against Uni North Owls in first grade.

With four tries in the first half and five more in the second, the Reds kept the Owls scoreless until the final ten minutes when Uni Norths crossed for their only try.

The Reds weren’t so lucky in reserve grade, losing by 33-19.

But in firsts the Reds set to the task from the jump when season newcomer Alec Palmer scored within the first minutes. Fellow 2019 starter Ben Cheetham followed minutes after that, backing himself with a searching run from centerfield up the right wing.

From this positive start, Uni Norths were on the backfoot from the get go and remained there all game.

At the half time break, even with a comfortable lead at their backs, coach Ben Pearson urged the firsts to lift the intensity and not ease up, and the side delivered.

The Reds were dominant in broken play and their defence was again a feature, denying the Owls on all but that one occasion.

There were big ticks for Goulburn in most areas of play but, even with the decisive win, the side still hasn’t fully hit its straps yet.

There was a bit of unforced dropped ball, a few misdirected passes and a couple of areas to work on but it’s a pretty handy position to be in – undefeated and still with room for improvement.

Wingers Matt Spratley and Simon Graves scored two tries each… Spratley taking his season tally to eight tries and Graves second try coming from a perfectly executed chip and chase. Mik Webber kicked six conversions.

Not only was this a fourth straight victory for the Reds this year, in the four years of the combined Monaro and ACT lower grades competition, this is the fourth straight win over Uni Norths.

The win puts Goulburn alone at the top of the first grade ladder. Next week they will play second placed RMC at GIO Stadium in Canberra as a curtain raiser to the Brumbies, while reserve Grade will play RMC at Duntroon.

Best and fairest points went to Alec Palmer (3), Adam Lachlan (2), Brad Clements (1) and Mik Webber (1) with Palmer also Players Player.

Goulburn 57 (Matt Spratley 2, Simon Graves 2, Alec Palmer, Ben Cheetham, Jackson Reardon, Adam Lachlan, Jordan Lees tries, Mik Webber 6 conversions) bt Uni Norths 5 (Daniel Slater try).

• Goulburn Dirty Reds defeat Uni North Owls 57-5