Recap

Rusty Reds ruffle Owls’ feathers

By PETE OLIVER

IT’S been three weeks since the Goulburn Dirty Reds Women have played any rugby.

The rust was evident in patches during Saturday’s game against the Uni-Norths Owls at Viking Park, but it didn’t stop the Reds continuing their winning streak, notching up a 48-5 win.

Two tries to a rampaging Bella Sheen, a double to Karly Lachlan, and tries to Angela Albrighton, Sass Cudaj, Casey Barnes and Maddy Tooth helped blow the cobwebs out and kept alive the Reds’ dreams of an undefeated inaugural season.

But the Reds didn’t have it all their own way. The Owls were brilliant at the breakdown, applying constant pressure on the ground and stifling a number of attacking opportunities for the Reds.

At half time, coach Rob Sheekey called for his players to put the ball through the hands and back themselves. It produced what Sheekey described as “maybe the best our attack has looked all year”.

“Our combinations are starting to look really good, with a number of tries coming from great interchanging of passing,” Sheekey said.

The eight tries to one win was built on the back of some expansive play through the backs, however, it was a passage of play where all three front rowers linked up which produced the highlight of the game.

A set play from the lineout saw Lyndal Morris cart the ball up, popping a fine one-handed pass to Kelsey Betts before Barnes powered over the line for her first try in Reds colours. Barnes was swarmed by ecstatic team mates.

But while the Reds looked slick with the ball, their defence was at times wanting. Some tackles slipped up high and weren’t as effective as they could have been. It’s an area the team will again work on this week at training.

“It was maybe our poorest defensive performance and we will need to do a lot of work on it if we are to improve,” Sheekey said.

“In saying that, our scramble defence was good and despite giving them some great attacking opportunities we were able to defend our line well.

“The game was a great hit out, getting an opportunity to play against some more experienced players and they have highlighted areas we need to work on, which I think is great preparation as we get ready for the final.”

This weekend the Reds will host ADFA at Poidevin Oval in a match worth double points.

Goulburn Dirty Reds Women 48 (Sheen 2, Lachlan 2, Albrighton, Barnes, Cudaj, M Tooth tries, Mewburn 4 conversions) defeated Uni-Norths Owls 5 (Afamasaga try).

Photos by Pete Oliver