Recap

Eagles take the points in close tussle

By Chris Gordon

Goulburn trailed by three points at half time, and still by three at the end as the Dirty Reds second grade side locked into a close tussle with Gungahlin Eagles, losing 26-29.

The Dirty Twos were in the ascendency in the latter parts of the game, scoring 14 points in the last twelve minutes, and were well set to score again, but time ran out on what seemed likely to be their first away game win of the season.

In the first half, Gungahlin employed an expansive game, putting the ball through the hands but for the most part were met with solid and quick adjusting defence. After 15 minutes Gungahlin scored a try, but a try and conversion to Pat Craig in his best game in seniors briefly gave the Reds the lead. Quickly after that Gungahlin replied, again sans conversion and at half time the Eagles led 10-7.

Once again the ten minutes after the break proved problematic for Goulburn and Gungahlin added their third try just 3 minutes into the second half, but Niki Naureure and Pat Craig quickly countered with a converted try that closed the gap to just one point.

Tries in the 49th and 54th minutes saw Gungahlin pull away from Goulburn but, digging deep, two more Goulburn tries – one to Campbell Kruger and a second to Niki – both converted by Pat Craig returned the gap to just three.

With five minutes remaining Goulburn seemed a good chance to take the win but time was against them in the end.

It was a tremendous effort by the Reds who, by necessity once again had to scrape together an ad hoc team with many playing out of position. They had their regular fullback playing at prop, a breakaway playing fullback and a scrum-half playing Number 8. This willingness to adapt and be flexible is an asset to the side and it was particularly disappointing that this close loss also elevated one of their closest rivals on the ladder, however the Dirty Twos came home with two competition points for scoring four tries and for scoring within 7 point of their opposition.

Next week all senior Goulburn teams are at home to Uni-Norths.

Gungahlin 29 bt Goulburn 26 (Vereniki Naurere 2, Pat Craig, Campbell Kruger tries; Craig 3 conversions).

Best & Fairest points:

3 – Matt Thompson
2 – Pat Craig
1 – Vereniki Naureure

Players’ Player:

Pat Craig

By the clock:

15 mins – Gungahlin try (0-5)
19 mins – Pat Craig try and conv. (7-5)
22 mins – Gungahlin try (7-10)

38 mins – Gungahlin try (7-15)
41 mins – Vereniki Naureure try, Craig conv. (14-15)
49 mins – Gungahlin conv. try (14-22)
54 mins – Gungahlin conv. try (14-29)
58 mins – Campbell Kruger try, Craig conv. (19-29)
65 mins – Naureure try, Craig conv. (26-29)