Recap

Royals too good for short-staffed Reds

By PETE OLIVER

It’s been the story of the Goulburn Women’s Dirty Reds’ season. Huge on heart, able to mix it with the best in the competition, but in the end just not enough points on the board.

Saturday’s 45-7 loss to Royals was Goulburn’s biggest defeat to date, but the scoreboard genuinely doesn’t reflect the game, nor the considerable turn around in the second half.

Goulburn had next to no possession for much of the first half, warming their shoulders up against repeated Royals attacks.

The already short-staffed Reds hit a big hurdle early on, when energetic front rower Dani McDonald went down with a nasty shoulder injury. This left the Goulburn side with no reserves on the bench and a reshuffle of positions.

Remember that heart? It showed.

This was without a doubt Goulburn’s most physical match of the year. The Royals players were big, powerful and battered the Goulburn line, at times breaking through. The Reds’ heads never dropped, and they only improved as the game went on.

Flyhalf Elly Hazelton crossed for the Reds’ only try of the day – deserved reward for the stand off who has been in excellent form following her return from injury.

Front row wrecking ball Kelsey Betts was outstanding for the Reds in defence, and when the Reds had the ball was a near certainly to cart it up into the Royals’ line.

Betts earned the three Best and Fairest points, with line out queenpin Sass Cudaj and utility forward Olivia Howe sharing two points each. Howe also received the Players’ Player award for a huge hearted effort around the ground, despite copping a nasty knock to the ribs early on. The one point in the B&F count was shared by the ever-reliable Pearl Rakete and Hazelton.

The Reds will now have a week off before they take on Uni Norths in the semi final on 10 October.

Photos: PETE OLIVER.