Recap

Eagles swoop to take Dirty Twos’ lead in final minutes

By CHRIS GORDON

Despite a strong second half that had them in front with minutes to spare, a valiant Goulburn Dirty Reds second-grade team went down to Gungahlin Eagles 22-19 at Jamison Oval on Saturday.

Down 12-0 at the break, the Reds fought back to be leading 19-17 with four minutes remaining but a final Gungahlin try put paid to back-to-back away wins for the Goulburn Dirty Twos.

As is becoming commonplace for the moderately sized Dirty Twos pack, the Gungahlin pack outweighed them significantly and easily owned the scrums, but tireless defence pulled up Gungahlin for most of the first half and scrappy, hungry work at the breakdown a strong lineout delivered plenty of possession for Goulburn.

Gungahlin’s first try came in the 13^th minute and the second, five minutes from half time, was against the run of play as the Eagles swooped on a mis-timed pass and scored off an intercept.

The Eagles had a comfortable lead but the second half was owned by Goulburn.

Ten minutes after the restart Josh Metz crossed out wide and Jimmy Rudd kicked the difficult conversion.

Four minutes later, Michael Cooke crossed for Goulburn’s second try and scores were level at 12-12.

Gungahlin struck back seven minutes later but then Cooke, who was having a blinder with strong jinking runs and frequent line breaks, crossed for a second and the crucial conversion by Rudd put Goulburn up by two with 11 minutes remaining.

The Dirty Twos held that lead tenaciously until four minutes from full time, but Gungahlin had one more try left in them, regaining the lead and the win.

Like last round against Royals, the Dirty Twos showed they have a game plan to combat bigger forward packs and the personnel willing and able to deliver it and improving with every game together.

Despite the loss, it was a helluva performance by Reserve grade against a formidable Eagles outfit, especially with some last-minute withdrawals and without a full front row. Goulburn has never beaten Gungahlin in this grade, and this match was as close as they’ve come. Goulburn outscoring Gungahlin 19-10 in the second half and leading with four minutes to go doesn’t change the result, but it’s indicative of the team’s heart and potential.

Michael Cooke’s performance was one of the best individual performances by any Dirty Red this season, which is saying something for a player who is in best and fairest consideration every week. He was deservedly given three best and fairest points and the players’ player award. Meki Masunu received two best and fairest points and Rhys Elliott and skipper Jack Burke received a point each.

The Dirty Twos have next weekend off and will reconvene at Rugby Park Goulburn on 2 July.

Gungahlin Eagles 22 (Eric Fallon 2, Luke Maher, Liam Elliott tries, Sam Richards conversion) bt Goulburn Dirty Twos 19 (Michael Cooke 2, Josh Metz tries, Jimmy Rudd 2 conversions).

Photos: CHRIS GORDON.

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