Recap

Dirty Reds tough it out against determined Lions

By CHRIS GORDON

On paper, the Dirty Reds first grade side should have made light work of the Wests Lions given that they had only one win to their ledger this year and Goulburn are leading the table. But the Lions gave the Reds one of their toughest workouts this year with Goulburn finishing on top by 31-20 at Klem Oval on Saturday.

The first 12 minutes of the match seemed to indicate that the match might be a walkover for the Reds with 21 points already on the board. Fifty-match veteran Henry Cooper celebrated that milestone with a try, Mik Webber crossed next and Matt Spratley, in a 70-metre run that harkened back to the long-range tries he scored regularly when he wore double digits, was third across the line with Webber converting each.

But then the tries dried up.

Goulburn held a slight edge in the scrums but at the breakdowns the Reds were met by strong opposition. Several Goulburn players started to show signs of frustration and indiscipline and a number of them almost came to blows.

But still Wests held their line against further scoring and even gained the ascendency in the last five minutes of the half, rewarded with a try right on half-time.

The Goulburn side that started the second half was more composed but still scoring proved elusive for them. Across the [paddock, there was solid rugby at every contact and this was to be a roll your sleeves up, hard yakka contest.

Wests lifted considerably in the second half, particularly in the scrum, and held the Lion’s share (pun intended) of territory for the whole of the second half.

By the 57^th minute Wests had notched up two more second tries and if they’d brought their kicking boots, the scores would have been level instead of 21-15.

By the time Goulburn took a shot at penalty goal, it had been 49 minutes since Goulburn had troubled the scorer but Webber, who definitely did have his kicking boots on, landed it to improve the buffer to 24-15.

With five minutes remaining and Wests still looking dangerous, Webber turned back the clock with his own 70-metre dash that was brought down just short of the tryline. Deceptively pacey Johnny-on-the-spot hooker Tim Moule, however,  finished the movement and took the ball over for Goulburn’s fourth and final try.

As they had done in the first half, Wests added a try on the bell to round out the match but Goulburn was safely home by 31-20.

As previously stated, for a team that has only won once this year to put up such a challenge was a bit of a surprise. Given Wests dominated field possession for the greater part of the four-tries-all match, the Lions can feel disappointed to come home with the loss.

For the Reds, even though the Wests side was somewhat bolstered, this was a very timely and useful exercise in playing the whole game, not overcoming frustration, and trusting in their game plan.

Adding to the now hospital ward-sized injury list was Adam Lachlan who had to leave the field with a knee injury, but he is expected to be back on deck next week.

Best and fairest players were Henry “Five-O” Cooper (3), Matt Spratley (2) and Alec Palmer (1) with Cooper and Josh Metz sharing Players’ Player.

The Dirty Reds have now extended their lead of the ACT First Division First Grade ladder although four teams still have a game in hand. Next weekend it’s one plays two at Rugby Park in the top-of-the-table clash with Royals.

Goulburn Dirty Reds (Henry Cooper, Mik Webber, Matt Spratley, Tim Moule tries, Webber 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal) bt Wests Lions 20 (Caleb Stevens 2, Luke Morrison, Frank Tameo tries)

By the clock:

• 6 mins – Henry Cooper try, Mik Webber conversion (7-0)
• 10 mins – Webber try, Webber conversion (14-0)
• 12 mins – Matt Spratley try, Webber conversion (21-0)
• 35 mins – Wests try (21-5)
• HALF-TIME
• 49 mins – Wests try (21-10)
• 57 mins – Wests try (21-15)
• 61 mins – Webber penalty goal (24-15)
• 65 mins – Tim Moule try, Webber conversion (31-15)
• 70 mins – Wests try (31-20)

Photos: Chris Gordon