Recap

Reds repel Viking onslaught to earn grand final spot

By CHRIS GORDON

A mammoth kicking duel, two early tries and seventy minutes of the best defence Goulburn has submitted all year has earned the Dirty Reds a spot in the ACT first division first grade grand final in two weeks.

Defending a three-point lead for the last 12 minutes, the Reds did what co-coach Jackson Reardon asked of them at half time and emptied the tank, leaving nothing in reserve as they broke down phase after phase of attack by the Tuggeranong Vikings.

Off to a flying start, Goulburn was first on the board with a try to winger Taniela Halafihi after just five minutes. Eleven minutes after that fly half Ben Todkill pulled in an intercept and ran 70 metres for Goulburn’s second try, and at this point, despite Tuggeranong having the territorial edge, it looked like the momentum was shifting towards Goulburn.

That wasn’t to be the case. There would be no more tries for Goulburn, only a tough ongoing battle at the breakdown.

The contest was keenly fought by both sides at every phase. Goulburn could not breach the Vikings line nor could Tuggeranong break through Goulburn’s defence.

The larger Vikings side looked to have a physical advantage but in their best defensive display of the year the Reds kept cutting them down with persistent efficient low tackling.

With broken field running at a minimum, a kicking duel ensued, with possibly the most long-range kicks and returns seen in a local match for years.

Vikings used their kicking game to regularly find touch where they made good use of their lineouts but despite being camped on Goulburn’s line, Tuggeranong couldn’t break through.

With points at a premium and defence virtually impenetrable, Tuggeranong took the option of a penalty goal bang on half time closing Goulburn’s lead to 10-3 going into the break

From the second half restart, Tuggeranong turned the switch to 11 and, camped again in Goulburn’s 20, threw multiple phases at the Reds. Pick and drives, driving mauls, through the hands… Tuggeranong tried everything but the Reds lifted to stop every attempt.

With fifty minutes gone and inside Tuggeranong’s quarter, a Vikings infringement provided Goulburn with a chance at a penalty goal and the decision to take the kick would prove crucial.

Webber’s successful kick stretched the lead to ten points but only eight minutes later, and twelve minutes from full time, Tuggeranong finally crossed Goulburn’s line to close the gap to just three points.

Tuggeranong held the majority of possession in the match causing Goulburn’s committed defence to drain a lot of petrol from their tanks. In that final session, the Vikings threw the kitchen sink at Goulburn but the Reds kept picking themselves off the ground and throwing themselves into defence.

Even in the final minutes the match was still anyone’s but Goulburn held strong for the 13-10 win.

The Reds were strong in the scrum, ok at the lineout and outstanding at the breakdown. It may not have been a flashy match but was intense as any Goulburn have played this year.

The match truly was a game of one percenters. The result could have turned on any choice, any tackle, any bounce of the ball. Both sides can rightly feel they have the other’s measure but it was Goulburn that put together a match winning effort on the day.

And of course it’s not just the result of one day. The first-grade season for 2022 has so far consisted of:

• 36 Players
• 13 matches (plus two received forfeits)
• 910 minutes of rugby
• 478 points for (and 199 against)
• 65 tries
• 41 conversions
• 5 penalty goals

Not to mention countless scrums, lineouts, tackles, hours of training and God knows how many injuries. It’s taken all of that and more for the Reds to earn a spot in the Big Dance, the Big Show, the grand final.

The match also included a number of individual milestones… including Matt Spratley’s 100^th game for the club, Ben Todkill’s 150^th first grade game and and Henry Cooper’s 50^th first grade game.

Goulburn now has a week off to refine their game and recover from some niggling injuries while Tuggeranong and the winner of the Royals v Queanbeyan will meet next weekend to see who gets to take on the Reds.

Goulburn 13 (Taniela Halafihi, Ben Todkill tries, Mikael Webber penalty goal) bt Tuggeranong 10 (Aedan Billiards try, Christino Manuolevao conversion and penalty goal).

Photos: Chris Gordon

[Show slideshow]

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By the clock:

• 5 mins – Taniela Halafihi try (5-0)
• 16 mins – Ben Todkill try (10-0)
• 35 mins – Tuggeranong penalty goal (10-3)
• HALF TIME:
• 50 mins – Mikael Webber penalty goal (13-3)
• 58 mins – Tuggeranong converted try (13-10)