Recap

Reds women lose to Uni Norths in tough and scrappy game

By PETE OLIVER

A spirited Goulburn Dirty Reds Women have gone down swinging against defending premiers Uni Norths Owls at a waterlogged Turner on Saturday, in a tough and scrappy 29-3 game.

It was cold, it was wet and it was a bad day to be an outside back, with the ball rarely heading out wide during the match as the forwards on both sides found themselves doing the grunt work in the mud.

The Reds were also missing a number of key players for the clash, with some players finding themselves in unfamiliar positions. Despite this, the players stood up across the park and showed plenty of heart in pretty ordinary conditions.

A penalty through the boot of Amelia Vitek, showing off her soccer background, got Goulburn on the board but it would be the only time the Reds would trouble the scorers.

As with last week’s game against the ViQueens, Goulburn spent periods camped on the opposition try line, but just couldn’t cross the chalk, and when they did get over the line, they were held up.

Brumbies backrower Pearl Rakete was again a powerhouse around the park for the Reds, making huge dents in the Owls’ defence every time she had the ball and causing the reigning premiers lots of problems at the breakdown.

She was well supported by Vitek and Bella Sheen, and the three have formed a superb back row combination for Goulburn.

For the past two weeks, the Reds have showed they are more than capable of mixing it with the best teams in Canberra. They’ve found themselves in the unfamiliar position of chasing the game, and while they’ve now lost two on the trot, the effort from the players has continued to be spot on.

Goulburn will take plenty away from the game, particularly the importance of playing smart wet weather rugby, and will look to rebound against competition leaders Royals at Poidevin Oval next week.

For Goulburn, Rakete picked up the three Best and Fairest points, along with the Players’ Player. Two points went to Vitek, who bounced back after going off injured and continues to improve each week during her first rugby season. Elke O’Rourke and Dani McDonald, in their run-on debuts for the Reds, both picked up a point each. 

Uni Norths Owlettes 29 bt Goulburn 3 (Amelia Vitek penalty goal).

Best and fairest points:

3 – Pearl Rakete
2 – Amelia Vitek
1 – Dani McDonald
1 – Elke O’Rourke

Players player: Pearl Rakete.

Photos by PETE OLIVER.