Recap

Photos courtesy Pete Oliver Imagery

Gallant stand against competition leaders

By Chris Gordon

The Goulburn Dirty Reds first grade side put up a gallant display against competition leaders Wests Lions at Jamison Oval, losing by 38-15.

It was a mismatch from the outset with the first placed side playing the last placed and, once again, with more than half of the Goulburn side backing up from the previous match.

Despite the size of the task ahead of them, Goulburn did manage to be the first and last scorers in the match but unfortunately, despite a close analysis of the rules, we couldn’t convince the opposition to accept the “last try wins” scenario.

As with most games this season, the second half showed Goulburn competing toe to toe. In this match both sides scored twice in the second half – a pretty impressive feat for Goulburn’s tired legs and even moreso against the calibre of their opposition. And the better Goulburn played, the more Wests objected. A combination of high tackles, indiscipline and repeated transgressions saw two Wests players yellow carded and one red carded, while no Goulburn players were shown the cheese.

While it’s a broken record to refer to Goulburn players backing up, it’s worth repeating because it speaks volumes of the side, and the club, that they made the commitment to fielding a side for every game even when that meant sacrificing first grade’s best chances.

There is now no pathway to the semis for first grade this year, but they will continue to put their best efforts on the paddock in their remaining two matches, determined to be the heartbreakers that make it tough for their opponents own semi final hopes. Next weekend, Goulburn plays Queanbeyan at Campese Oval.

Wests 38 bt Goulburn 15 (Michael Cooke, Josh Condylios tries; Brandon Courts conversion and penalty goal).

Best & Fairest points:

3 – Pat Craig
2 – Dallas Brown
1 – Josh Condylios

Players Player:

Pat Craig

By the clock:

3 mins – Brandon Courts penalty goal (3-0)
12 mins – Wests conv try (3-7)
16 mins – Wests try (3-12)
22 mins – Wests conv try (3-19)
25 mins – Wests conv try (3-26)

50 mins – Wests conv try (3-33)
54 mins – Wests try (3-38)
61 mins – Michael Cooke try (8-38)
66 mins – Josh Condylios try, Brandon Courts conv (15-38)