IT took a final quarter fight back for CSU to keep its undefeated Ferguson Cup record intact, but the come from behind 24-14 win over Mudgee taught the students some valuable lessons.
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For the first time this season CSU experienced what it was like to be put under sustained pressure. For the first time CSU had to adapt when a set game plan was not working.
Jess Gann, who booted two conversions and crossed for CSU's fourth try at University Oval, said the hard-earned win will serve them well when meeting some of the competition's more experienced sides.
"I definitely look at it as a big positive, we need tough games to be able to prepare ourselves. We are not going to be versing our main rivals this year until it matters, until it means the world, so we need to be ready," she said.
"I think a win like that is more rewarding than a big win.
"I think we needed it, especially the new girls who didn't play in the grand final last year. I wouldn't say we needed a loss, but it was good for them to feel uncomfortable and know what that is like."
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While many of the new CSU recruits have become familiar with set plays they run with a 10-a-side format, when that changed on Saturday CSU struggled to adapt.
Mudgee made the trip to Bathurst with just nine players, so it became a nine-on-nine battle.
The Wombats who did line up, ran hard up the middle and made some big hits in defence. It saw them leading 14-7 at the first break, CSU's Nicole Kennedy having crossed for the hosts.
Though the students still pilfered as the game went on, that good work was all too often undone by forward passes and knock-ons, Gann saying it was a direct result of "the pressure and the stress" CSU was under.
In the third quarter CSU managed to draw level with Mudgee, but it was not until the final period the hosts started to play free-flowing rugby. Kennedy finished the match with a double while Minna Annand also crossed.
"In the fourth quarter we just went back to basics and played what was in front of us. We did a lot of improvisation and it really paid off for us," Gann said.