A TRY with just over a minute of play gone - it was a perfect way for the under 14 Panorama Platypi to start their Western Women's Rugby League match against Castlereagh and from there it got a lot better.
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The young Platypi went on to post their first win of the season at Jack Arrow Oval on Saturday, downing the Cougars 28-6 in a performance that showcased some of the emerging female league talents in the region.
As is needed in all quality league teams, the Platypi 14s have a handy spine. Fullback Jade Leven, halves Abbey Carter and Sam Hanrahan plus hooker Jemmia Luck all tackled hard in defence and created in attack.
While beaten the Cougars certainly had talent within their ranks as well. Lock Adda Craig and prop Ella Hanney made good yards every carry, five-eighth Mikiala Thurston directed her side nicely and centre Natalie Gallen threatened on the fringes.
Having lost their season-opener 22-6 to the Vipers then suffering a narrow 6-4 loss to Woodbridge, the Platypi were keen to notch up their first win in round three.
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It did not take long for them to strike as Faith Ryder scored off the opening set after a determined kick-chase paid off. Hanrahan's conversion attempt struck the post but got a favourable deflection to make it 6-0 at quarter-time.
Early the second quarter the Cougars had a sniff when Gallen beat a number of defenders down the left wing, but Leven came flying across in cover and pulled off a brilliant tackle to force her into touch.
That effort lifted her side and by half-time they'd pushed out to a 22-0 lead as Leven, Carter and Vesna Ryan-Vranic all crossed.
One minute into the second half Craig crashed over between the sticks for Cougars as she got a reward for her impressive work rate, Thurston converting to make it 22-6.
But the hosts had the final say as second-rower Mary Maher scored and Hanrahan booted her fourth conversion in the third quarter.
