Recap

Reds remain undefeated after trouncing Tuggeranong 54-7

By CHRIS GORDON

Despite losing their way briefly in the middle, the Goulburn Dirty Reds were too strong at home in their 54-7 win against the Tuggeranong Vikings.

Where some games are referred to as a game of two halves, this one was more accurately a game of two quarters at either end with two other quarters of wilderness in between.

Goulburn was up by 19-0 after 19 minutes, dominating all aspects and looking like they could go on for a cricket score.

But as the Tuggeranong coach reached to his bench for quick changes, Goulburn seemed to lose focus and momentum.

At the break, Goulburn’s lead had reduced to 19-7 and Tuggeranong still looked every chance of climbing back into the game.

Back on deck for the second half and it was a lengthy spell before the scorekeepers were bothered, but when Goulburn finally did cross the line, the dam wall burst.

The Reds ran in five unanswered converted tries in the second half, mostly in the last 20 minutes.

Tuggeranong’s tactic of early replacements that initially seemed a masterstroke with Goulburn’s scoring slowed and the Vikings getting on the scoreboard, worked against them in the end, with an injured player unable to be replaced when the Vikings had used all seven subs.

Mik Webber, in his first match of the season after a training head knock, kicked seven from eight attempts and added a try of his own, while Adam Lachlan and Izzy Tittor each scored two tries.

Best and fairest players were Mik Webber (3), Ben Cheetham (2), Alec Palmer (1) and Jordan Wilcox (1), with Webber also named Players Player.

Making it’s long awaited return to the club after many years in the wilderness – the Garpole trophy for greatest deed of the day – went to Izzy Tittor.

Goulburn 54 (Izzy Tittor 2, Adam Lachlan 2, Ben Cheetam, Will Mooney, Eric Brown, Mik Webber tries, Webber 7 conversions) bt Tuggeranong 7.

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