Recap

Deja vu for Reds with a come-from-behind win against Hall

By CHRIS GORDON

The Dirty Reds fought back from a half-time deficit to beat long-time rivals the Hall Bushrangers by 36 to 22 at Hall on Saturday.

When they met at Poidevin Oval this year, Goulburn trailed for much of the second half before finally getting the better of Hall. On their home ground, Hall are always even tougher to beat.

Leading into this match, the Bushrangers had won three of their last four matches against Goulburn at Hall and were geared up to grand final intensity.

The Bushrangers proved particularly adept at moving the ball across the field, until they created overlaps in defensive numbers which they exploited with tries. Tackles that would customarily be made by Goulburn dropped off and Hall made inroads in the middle of the paddock as well as out wide.

Intensity remained high throughout the match, fueled from previous seasons, from the preceding reserve grade curtain-raiser and probably from a genetically-acquired disposition against each other between the two clubs.

Just before the half-time break a scuffle broke out but it was dealt with by the referee without resorting to cards and there were no further flareups, but it was indicative of the intensity.

Scoring throughout the first section had been more or less tit-for-tat and at the break Goulburn trailed by 17-15.

On paper, Goulburn’s response of a three-try-to-one second half looks commanding but in reality it was much tighter and hung in the balance.

The Reds held just a seven-point lead inside the final ten minutes with Hall coming back strongly and, but for a lengthy try against the run of play by scrum-half Jackson Reardon, the result could easily have been flipped.

The Dirty Reds finished with five tries to four. The Dirty Reds were gutsy, energetic and committed, but they were anything but convincing. While Goulburn has gotten the better of Hall in both matches this year, in both cases the Bushrangers have left knowing a win lies within reach.

Next weekend marks the end of the season proper and Goulburn’s first grade side will play RMC at Rugby Park Goulburn, while reserve grade, which has a bye, will  play an invitational match against Bowral.The Women’s team plays Tuggeranong at Viking Park.

Best and fairest for Goulburn were Ben Cheetham (3), Henry Cooper (2) and Adam Lachlan (1), with Lachlan also named players player.

Goulburn 36 (Adam Lachlan  2, Matt Spratley, Jordan Lees, Jackson Reardon tries, Mik Webber 3 conversions and one penalty goal) bt Hall 22.

Photos: CHRIS GORDON.

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