Recap

Dirty Reds get their mojo back against Owls

By CHRIS GORDON

The Goulburn Workers Club Dirty Reds notched up their biggest win of the season so far with a 78-7 routing of Uni Norths Owls.

But more significant than the score were the signs of a turning point for the side.

Coach Ben Pearson summed it up after the match, saying that up until RMC the side had stepped up a little more each week, and that that’s what they’d need to do in the remainder of the season.

In the six rounds since defeating RMC at GIO Stadium, the Reds had lost two games and the other four, though mostly big scores, were patchy and inconsistent.

It might be overstating it to say they’d lost their way, but they’d certainly lost some confidence, consistency and momentum in that section of games, with last weekend’s round against Gungahlin a particularly sobering experience for the pack.

But there was none of that on Saturday against the Owls.

Hunger at the break down, a solid scrum, good choices… the Reds dominated throughout and drew strength as they went, and this despite many players backing up from playing a half or full game in reserve grade due to player absences.

By half time the Reds were up 47-0. The second half began the same way, with Goulburn piling on try after try.

In the last 15 minutes, however, the door was left open a smidge for the Owls. Mounting Goulburn infringements saw a heavy penalty count and two yellow cards against the Reds. With the weight of possession, former Goulburnian Craig McKillop scored for Uni Norths just short of full time.

While not a perfect match, it was pretty damn good and just the confidence builder the side needed in preparation for next week’s rematch with RMC.

The 78-7 scoreline marks a new record against the Owls and the bonus point win, combined with Royals’ loss to Hall, sees Goulburn climb back into second spot with two rounds of the home and away season remaining.

Best and fairest players were Michael McKillop (3), Brad Muddiman (2) Llewellyn Davies (1) and Ben Todkill (1). McKillop, described by many as the best McKillop in ACT first division rugby, also earned the players player vote.

Goulburn 78 (Jordan Wilcox 2, Mik Webber 2, Matt Spratley 2, Brad Muddiman, Brad Clements, Ben Cheetham, Jackson Reardon, Hamish McCormack, Alec “The Croc Hunter” Palmer tries, Webber 9 conversions) bt Uni Norths 7 (Craig McKillop try, Huga Chan conversion).

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