Recap

Dirty Reds women back on track after win against Mudchicks

By PETE OLIVER

Over the years, Goulburn Rugby’s Women’s team have made a habit of winning in style, blowing out teams with ease and racking up huge scores along the way.

On Saturday, they had to dig deep for a truly gutsy win against a strong opposition.

The 36-25 win over the Bungendore Mudchicks was the most important of the Reds’ season so far. It arrested a three-match losing streak, got the Reds’ season back on track, and showed the team that they can win the gritty contests.

The past few weeks have not been happy for the Reds. Heart-breaking one-point losses to ADFA and Hall, along with a thumping by Uni Norths, saw the Reds lose the coveted top spot on the ladder. Saturday’s win, which keeps the Reds in touch with competition leaders Uni Norths, will be a massive confidence boost for the Goulburn side.

Bungendore are a damn good team – a much better side than their fifth place on the ladder would suggest – big, strong, forward-focused, and bristling with Monaro representatives. Beating them at home would be no easy feat, and when the Mudchicks crossed for an early first try, things were looking a bit grim.

With Goulburn’s two most experienced players Ash Mewburn and Jordan Brooker unavailable, halves Chloe Waddell and Josephine O’Brien stepped up. And then some.

Fresh off Monaro representative duty, the pair were superb from start to finish, controlling the match, and opening up the Mudchicks’ defence with scything runs from the ruck, or through the hands to winger Georgia Opie. Waddell would finish the match with three tries and O’Brien two, with outstanding prospect Jasmine Bes also crossing the line for a try.

While the backs scored all the points, the Reds’ forwards laid the platform, taking it to Bungendore’s pack. Illness meant Goulburn’s front rowers would have to put in a big shift, and they promptly delivered. Props Sariah Mita and Leslie Castledine stormed up field with strong runs, while hooker Grace Cummins was at her bustling best. In the second row, stand in captain Melissa Smith was her usual busy self around the field, while Joey Wood put in yet another strong performance, particularly in defence. Wood also added another string to her bow, stepping into the front row when injury forced a change.

Goulburn welcomed two new players to the side, with Bianca Francis and El Fitz making their Dirty Reds debuts – in Fitz’s case, her first ever game of rugby. Francis bought plenty of energy to the backline when she was injected into the game, and Fitz soon found her feet in the hurley burley of the forward play.

Unsurprisingly, Waddell and O’Brien shared the Best and Fairest points, earning three each, with O’Brien also collecting the Players’ Player award. Winger Livia Minikin earned two B&F points for her energy injecting performance, while captain Smith had yet another hard-working performance, taking home one point.

Both sides thank Bungendore’s Gary Anderson for stepping in and refereeing the game.

The Reds are back at home this weekend, when they host Royals.

Goulburn Dirty Reds Women 36 (Chloe Waddell 3, Josephine O’Brien 2, Jasmine Bes tries, Waddell 3 conversions) bt Bungendore Mudchicks 25 (Bobbine 3, Harris, Benson tries)

Best and Fairest Points

3 – Josephine O’Brien
3 – Chloe Waddell
2 – Livia Minikin
1 – Melissa Smith

Players Player

Josephine O’Brien