Recap

Reds roll Queanbeyan after messy start

By Chris Gordon

The Goulburn Workers Club Dirty Reds first grade side kept their unbeaten record intact with a 50-10 win over the Queanbeyan Whites, but only after a slow start by Goulburn and a Queanbeyan onslaught that they were unable to sustain.

The Whites came into the match with just one win to show from the season so far, but you wouldn’t have known that from the opening exchanges.

In the opening phases of the match, Queanbeyan’s intensity was top notch and early indications were that Goulburn’s opponents were going to stretch the Reds.

Uncharacteristically, the Reds seemed to be off their usual game specs… a little dropped ball, a few missed tackles, and the Whites seemed well and truly in the match.

Even with a handy 19-5 lead at the break thanks to tries from Brad Muddiman, Michael McKillop and Jordan Wilcox (two of those converted by Mikael Webber), Goulburn clearly hadn’t hit their straps and despite Queanbeyan’s strong start, the Reds looked inwards towards their own performance.

“Defence is an area where we have set a very high standard this year and we’re not approaching that standard at all today,” he said

“You all know how to defend, I’ve seen it every week this year. You all know how to score points, you all know how to make smart decisions because I’ve seen it all year around.”

Pearson identified the problem as a matter of head space, and connection with the game and each other, and it was a point the players agreed with.

In the second half the Reds set to the task of re-focusing and meeting the form of their previous matches. As a result, the tries followed for Goulburn.

Five tries followed in the second half… to Boyd Newby, Tynan Rae, Adam Lachlan, Matt Spratley (his tenth for the season) and Mik Webber, three of those converted by Webber.

The Reds also ratcheted up their defence to the standard they’d set in previous games.

Queanbeyan didn’t give up at any stage, but were only able to cross for one second half try.

For the Reds, it was an ugly win but, particularly in the second half, a match that showed their ability to course correct when things start to drift from the plan.

Best and fairest points for Goulburn went to skipper Jordan Wilcox (3), Mik Webber (2) and Jackson Reardon (1). Wilcox also received the Players Player vote.

Goulburn 50 (Brad Muddiman, Michael McKillop, Jordan Wilcox, Boyd Newby, Tynan Rae, Adam Lachlan, Matt Spratley, Mik Webber tries, Webber 5 conversions) bt Queanbeyan 10.