Recap

New look Gungahlin Eagles too strong for Dirty Twos

By CHRIS GORDON

The Gungahlin Eagles ran in ten tries against a valiant Goulburn Dirty Reds second grade side for a 66-17 victory.

It was a welcome change to see Gungahlin show up for a game and show up they definitely did, with a new-look and well-drilled side.

The Eagles fourth grade side, which before this match had an average score of 16 per game and a top score of 33 this year, played like a totally new team and quickly took to putting points on the board.

Both sides looked potent with ball in hand. Making good use of their opportunities, Goulburn had two first half tries with Jarrod Thompson and Jacob Kara scoring first half tries and Jimmy Rudd adding a conversion and were trailing by just 12-19 a minute short of the break before Gungahlin ran in their fourth try.

Whereas in previous matched the Dirty Twos spent a lot of the first half finding their groove, to their credit this week they clicked early in the game. The combination of a formidable opponent and a growing injury list, however, took their toll.

Michael Cooke (foot injury) and Anthony Yeo (broken ribs) were both sidelined during the match, meanwhile the Eagles continued to pile on the points. Gungahlin score six tries in the second half while Jacob Kara added one more for Goulburn, his second in the game.

The Gungahlin fourth grade side were a class above, and looked like they could comfortably account for the club’s third grade side. And there’s nothing illegal about that, clubs can allocate players to any level they choose, but the Dirty Twos can take heart in knowing they held on so well in the first half against that calibre, and probably won’t see a lot of those same faces should they meet in future rounds.

As mentioned earlier, Goulburn made a quicker start in this match than in previous weeks which bodes well for their growth as a side, but the growing injury toll which already included James Umu, skipper Jack Burke and others, will continue to pose challenges in their run home.

Best and fairest points went to Kyle Ruhnau (3), Nick Tabner (2) and Jimmy Rudd (1) with Jacob Kara named Players’ Player.

Next weekend first and reserve grade are playing Wests in games that were scheduled to be played in Goulburn due to Wests’ previous forfeits, but will likely be played at Weetangera Fields.

Gungahlin 66 (Stanley 2, Lualua, Latu, Vailoaloa, Pyne, Maher, Pollard, Hansen, Nicholas tries, Campisi 8 conversions) bt Goulburn 17 (Jacob Kara 2, Jarrod Thomson tries, Jimmy Rudd conversion).

By the clock:

• 5 mins – Gungahlin converted try (0-7)
• 8 mins – Jarrod Thompson try (5-7)
• 15 mins – Gungahlin converted try (5-14)
• 26 mins – Gungahlin try (5-19)
• 30 mins – Jacob Kara try, Jimmy Rudd conversion (12-19)
• 34 mins – Gungahlin converted try (12-26)
• HALFTIME
• 40 mins – Gungahlin converted try (12-33)
• 45 mins – Gungahlin converted try (12-40)
• 52 mins – Jacob Kara try (17-40)
• 57 mins – Gungahlin converted try (17-47)
• 61 mins – Gungahlin converted try (17-54)
• 64 mins – Gungahlin try (17-59)
• 68 mins – Gungahlin converted try (17-66)

Photos: Chris Gordon

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