CSU beats West Wyalong 35-14 in the Ferguson Cup's major semi-final

CSU ran in five tries for a 35-14 victory at Northparkes Oval, one which saw the students become the first team to qualify for the grand final.

In downing the minor premiership winning Redbacks – who defeated them 69-5 earlier this season – CSU also extended its undefeated run to 11 consecutive games.

Considering only a handful of players had any prior rugby experience and this season marks CSU’s return to the competition after an absence of some five years, there were scenes of excitement at full-time.

“We were over the moon, there couldn’t be a better mood at the club at the moment, it’s just fantastic. It was a proud moment for all of the girls, especially considering where we were at the start of the season,” CSU’s Claire Woolmington said.

“We knew we could do it, we could see our potential and where we could go, but it was just one of those feelings, pure excitement just takes over. We were proud just to make the finals, let alone get into the grand final.”

While Woolmington and fellow back Brydie Comiskey each scored a brace, CSU’s semi-final win was set up by defence. It is an area the students, under the guidance of coach Dom Huggett, have worked hard to improve.

“It was a very tough game, West Wyalong are a very physical team and strong in the forwards as well,” Woolmington said.

“But we always expected it to be a physical game, so the girls handled themselves quite well with that. It’s always good to have a tough game like that.

“From a playing perspective I felt we defended for 70 percent of the game nearly. West Wyalong had a majority of the possession throughout the game, so it was a very big defensive game for us.

“The physical side, West Wyalong just like to go down the middle, so for us it was really good to see where we were at with our defence.”

West Wyalong opened scoring in the grand final qualifier and led 14-7 at quarter-time. With no addition to the scoreboard from either team in the second quarter, CSU knew it had work to do.

But CSU outside centre Comiskey was the first to cross in the second half, her effort giving the students the momentum they needed to go on with the job.

Number 8 Liz Young also crossed for CSU, while Ashleigh Bridge converted each of the student’s four tries.

“We talked about it in the half-time speech, how the next try was going to determine the game. So it was good for us to go out and get those extra points up before they got in again,” Woolmington said.

“At the end we had time on our hands, we were up by two tries and we just needed to relax and play our football. I wouldn’t say we relaxed at any point because it’s finals and West Wyalong are a brilliant side, you’ve always got to be playing 100 percent.”

CSU will now have a week off while West Wyalong and defending premiers Bathurst Bulldogs square off in the preliminary final.