Recap

Valiant against Viqueens in the one that got away

By PETE OLIVER

If there’s a game that got away from the Goulburn Dirty Reds Women, it was this weekend’s clash against the Tuggeranong Viqueens.

The Viqueens may have claimed a 19-5 victory, but it’s genuinely a match the Reds could have snatched.

There’s been a theme throughout the Reds’ season in 2020. The effort has been faultless, the desire has been there. But at times the skills have let them down, often crucially as they’ve got their foot on the opposition’s throat.

Poor ball handling and high tackling cost the Reds, as the powerful Viqueens runners would consistently make metres after contact.

When Goulburn had the ball, the Reds would get into a good position after three or four phases, ready to strike and then promptly drop the ball or turn it over.

Onto the good stuff. When the Reds did get a roll on, it brought them points. The forwards rumbled on towards the line, and the Reds got on the board through prop Paige Penning from a well-timed pick and drive. Amelia Vitek’s conversion clanged off the upright.

On a hot day at Tuggeranong, the Reds’ forwards were big on heart, but short on subs. The majority of the pack played the full game in the Saturday afternoon heat, but toiled away and didn’t give up.

The Reds mixed up this attack with some smart kicking play, with fly half Elly Hazelton showing great control off the boot and soccer player-turned-flanker Vitek also putting in some clever kicks in general play.

These kicks were supported by the backline busting themselves in the chase and putting pressure on the Viqueens. However, the star of the day was Maddy Tooth, who was a powerhouse in attack and defence.

The young centre pulled off some bell ringing hits, to the point it seemed some of the Viqueens’ attackers would change their line if they saw Tooth ahead of them in the defensive line.

As with last week, the Reds conceded a late long-distance try to blow the score out when tired legs couldn’t prevent the Viqueens from pushing the score out to 19.

Unsurprisingly, Tooth picked up the three points in the best and fairest count, along with players’ player. Prop Kelsey Betts collected two B&F points, with hooker Olivia Howe and the tireless Pearl Rakete each sharing one point.

It’s likely the tackle pads will be getting a workout at training this week, as the Reds look to finish the regular season off strongly against Royals by lowering their shoulders and decking their opponents. Their last match was a washout, so it’ll be the two sides’ first encounter with each other, before the finals begin.

Tuggeranong Viqueens 19 bt Goulburn Women’s Dirty Reds 5 (Paige Penning try).

Photos: PETE OLIVER.