ST Pat’s has booked its spot in the finals of the inaugural Country Rugby League Western Region Women’s Nines competition, but standing between the Saints and potential glory is an undefeated Orange Hawks outfit.
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After the final two round games were played at Bathurst’s University Oval on Saturday, Hawks further firmed as favourites as its record stood at eight wins from as many games.
The Saints qualified in second spot as the squad further adjusted to the new format, but Meredith Jones knows her side will need to further improve if it is to beat Hawks in the November 4 finals.
Jones’ side fell 12-4 to the Hawks on Saturday and she feels that the strong tackling from the Orange outfit was the difference.
“That’s probably the difference, they’re tackling really well, they have two in every single time. We are still trying to get the gist of it and we are going in too high,” she said.
“I think you can tell we are more of a [league] tag team than a league team. But essentially I feel our ball skills are pretty good and probably on par with them, but their defence is just too good at the moment.
“We aren’t that far off them, but I think it will probably take us two or three seasons to get the gist of this. We’ve got to get over that fear of going full on.”
It was Jones who scored first on Saturday as her side lined up against Hawks, her effort in the right corner after two minutes giving the Saints hope of avenging a 16-6 loss to their Group 10 rivals on the opening weekend of competition.
But from the resulting kick-off Hawks responded. Talented fullback Sophie Stammers found space down the right wing, then turned the ball back inside to Sally Dwyer who ran away to score.
That squared things up at 4-all and just over two minutes out from half-time, Hawks crossed again to take the lead.
Good runs from Stammers and Sheryll Selwood carried Hawks deep into the Saints half before Jacqui Lyden steamrolled two defenders to score.
The Saints were under pressure once more when the second half commenced as they let the kick-off bounce into touch.
However, they held on as Jones knocked down a pass when Hawks created an overlap before a crunching tackle Elise Woods forced the ball loose.
From there the Saints attacked, Romy Casey and Haylee Lepaio making strong charges, but the Hawks players defended well on their line.
The win was sealed three minutes from time when Ella-J Harris darted over on a blindside run from dummy half.
Aside from the Saints and Hawks, the Oberon-Nyngan Tigers were the only other side to compete at University Oval on Saturday.
But forfeits aside, Jones feels the tackle nines format has the potential to grow.
“It’s great to see females be able to have a proper crack. Tag is awesome, it’s great and probably a bit more inclusive for females, just because they are a bit anxious about the tackling. But this is just a great opportunity to have a go,” she said.
“It’s the first year that it’s up and running, and I think it will take some time for it to grow. It was the same with league tag, it took awhile for it to get up and running.”