Recap

Dirty Reds Women dominate in season opener

By PETE OLIVER

The Goulburn Dirty Reds Women have emphatically marked their return to the ACT tens competition, with a thumping 66-10 win over Jindabyne Miss Piggies.

Last year, Goulburn enjoyed their most successful season in the ACT Premier 15s, but with a number of players moving away, injured or pregnant, the team dropped back to the 10s comp they so thoroughly dominated in 2019.

Saturday’s team was a real blend of experience and youth, with several players making their rugby debuts and getting stuck in.

Fullback Krystal Blackwell bagged five tries in a player of the match performance, showing fantastic vision and speed to carve through the Jindabyne defence.

Goulburn women have always managed to field a formidable backline, but yesterday’s was on song, scoring all 10 tries and guided around the park by Ash Mewburn.

Many of Goulburn’s tries came from long range and in open play, showing that this team will be dangerous from anywhere on the field.

Maddy Tooth crossed for a hat trick – a feat made all the more impressive given she had left her boots in Goulburn and was forced to borrow the team physio’s slightly larger boots.

With long-time halfback Jordan Brooker missing a rare match, Chloe Waddell stepped up at the scrum base and put in a strong performance. Her darting runs from the back of the scrum and breakdown yielded one long-range try and had the Jindabyne defence on their toes all day.

Maddy Campbell had an impact in her first senior game of rugby, crossing for a try and slotting a conversion.

The Reds’ forward pack may not have scored any of the points, but the team’s victory was built on the platform set by them. Paige Penning in particular was a beast in defence, monstering ball runners and setting the tone. Bella Sheen was also at her fearless pest best at the breakdown, disrupting opposition ball and bringing down bigger players.

Jindabyne were very brave throughout and kept pushing the Reds all game, despite finishing the match short through injuries.

They crossed for two well-deserved second half tries through fullback Ruby Fryer.

It’s pretty rare to score five tries and not be recognised in the Best and Fairest tally, so it was unsurprising Blackwell picked up the three points, along with the Players’ Player. Sheen took home two points, while Penning and Tooth collected a point each.

The performance will give coaches Mewburn and Dani McDonald plenty to build on at training over coming weeks, with Goulburn having another two weeks off before hosting ADFA at home on 30 April.

Goulburn 66 (Blackwell 5, Tooth 3, Waddell, Campbell tries, Mewburn 6, Waddell, Campbell cons) defeated Jindabyne Miss Piggies 10 (Fryer 2 tries).

GALLERY – PETE OLIVER