Recap

Reds outpoint Ranger rivals

By CHRIS GORDON

Call it a grudge match, or a keenly contested rivalry… call it what you like… but the Dirty Reds took the honours in the latest chapter of their ongoing contest with Hall Bushrangers by 25-17.

In recent years, the tale of the tape has been evenly split…  four wins each over the last eight matches. Adding another element of interest to the already anticipated game was Hall’s appointment of former Goulburn premiership-winning coach Darren Solomons as their first-grade coach for 2020.

Both sides bring their “A” game whenever they meet, and this match brought that same commitment.

For all of that, though, it wasn’t a free-flowing or attractive game of rugby. It was a grinding arm-wrestle of a game in which both sides struggled to gain momentum and put their stamp on it.

It was also that other great cliche… a game of two halves. Hall was up by 17-7 at the break, but couldn’t score in their second section whereas Goulburn scored 18 unanswered second-half points. Of the 42 points scored, 35 were scored at the Addison Street end (for territorial statistic nerds).

Goulburn finally gained control and momentum in the final 10-15 minutes after trailing for much of the game. Scrum-half Jackson Reardon, who had one of his strongest games as referee’s consultant, ran in the final try to clinch the match. 

While not a dominant display throughout, the win over Hall was significant. The Bushrangers proved equal to everything Goulburn could throw at them for much of the match and, but for a few of their decisions on the paddock, could have driven back home the winners.

The four-try-to-two win by Goulburn also earned the Reds the bonus point keeping them on top of the table.

Best and fairest points went to Steve Anable (3), Jordan Lees (2), Henry Cooper (1) and Josh Guymer (1). Steve Anable was voted Players Player.

Goulburn 25 (Abe Kara, Adam Lachlan, Mik Webber, Jackson Reardon tries; Webber conversion; Webber penalty goal) bt Hall 17.

Most photos (the good ones) by PETE OLIVER with a few at the end by CHRIS GORDON.

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