Recap

Vitek vital in last minute win

By PETE OLIVER

Most rugby players dream of scoring the winning points in big games. When Dirty Reds’ kicker Amelia Vitek lined up a penalty at full time on Saturday, it was her opportunity to live out that dream.

Adding to the drama, the soccer player-turned-rugby flanker’s previous two attempts at goal had both narrowly sailed wide of the post earlier in the game. But, like any good Hollywood script, the ball swung sweetly off the tee and crept through the left upright. Cue celebration from the Reds’ players on the field, and a deep sigh of relief from the coaching staff.

The 13-10 win is the Reds’ first victory over Royals, who are the powerhouse of the ACT Premier Division competition. The defending premiers boast an extremely talented squad and travelled down the Federal Highway as favourites coming into the match.

It’s been a very long preseason for the Reds since gathering in late January. Their season was delayed a week by the withdrawal of Wests, and the players were keen to get on the field.

The opening minutes were a bit of a slugfest, but Goulburn found themselves bending the Royals’ line time and time again. The home team were enthusiastic but patient, however it was Royals who scored the first points of the game in the 11th minute.

Goulburn hit back shortly after, with inside centre Elly Hazelton pulling off an individual piece of brilliance to break the Royals’ defence and streak away to level the scores.

The seesaw nature of the game continued minutes later with another Royals try out-wide to regain the lead, but it would be the last time the defending premiers would cross the line.

For the next 47 minutes, Goulburn would tackle themselves to a standstill to maintain the sanctity of their tryline – an incredible achievement against a team like Royals.

In the shadows of halftime, Goulburn levelled the score through the bullocking power of Pearl Rakete. While no points were scored in the next 34 minutes, the contest was engrossing and nailbiting. Both sides battered away at each other, but Goulburn’s enthusiasm at the breakdown and persistent defensive pressure was the difference.

In the dying stages of the game, the message went out to the Reds – if we get a kickable penalty, take it. Minutes later, the Reds found themselves in the Royals’ half. With the seconds ticking away, a ruck penalty gave Vitek the chance to win the game. She duly took it.

It was a genuine team effort by Goulburn. In the post-game players’ player poll, 10 different players earned nominations from their teammates. In the end, it was Vitek’s work around the field and her winning goal that saw her pick up the award.

In the Best and Fairest poll, flanker Bella Sheen was awarded three points, centre Josephine O’Brien two, and Brumbies flanker Rakete one. Sheen was a dynamo on the field, a threshing machine of arms, legs and hair, being a pest at the ruck and playing well above her weight, as always. O’Brien led the Reds’ backs in defence, shutting down countless Royals’ attacking plays before they had a chance to gain speed and was equally dangerous with ball in hand. Rakete showed her durability by moving into the second row and putting in another huge shift in the set piece and line out.

Drawing on her representative experience, Rakete displayed superb leadership with the forwards and put in her usual excellent performance, capped off with the crucial score-levelling try. There’s a Brumbies jersey awaiting Rakete when the Super W team gathers, and if there’s any reward for continued excellence, she should be in the starting side.

For Royals, number 8 Grace Kemp showed off the raw power and strength that earned her a call up into the Wallaroos set up. She was damaging every time she grabbed the ball, charging through tacklers and making the Reds’ defence work to bring her down. Twice, she was too strong for the Reds, barging her way over the try line to be Royals’ sole point scorer.

Goulburn will look to build on this win when they travel to David Campese Oval next weekend to take on the competition newcomers, the Queanbeyan Whites.

Goulburn Dirty Reds Women 13 (Hazelton, Rakete tries, Vitek Pen) def Royals 10 (Kemp 2 tries).

PHOTOS: Chris Gordon

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