The Illawarra Steelers claimed a hard-fought 22–12 victory over the Parramatta Eels in Round 2 of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership at Ziems Park on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 8–4 at halftime, the Steelers powered home with four second half tries to secure the win in front of their home crowd.
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Parramatta had the better of the early exchanges, with tries to Ella Carlisle and Josie Lenaz putting the visitors ahead before Maria Paseka (pictured) crossed to put Illawarra on the board heading into the break.
A try from five-eighth Georgie Barrett, following a midfield break by captain Mackenzie Lear shortly after the resumption, lifted the Steelers’ intensity as they drew level at 8-all However, the Eels quickly responded, scoring another try in the 47th minute to regain the lead.
In a dominant final 15 minutes by the home side, Jessica Patea, Tayleah Handcock, and Lear all scored tries. Handcock also successfully converted the only goal of the game in the 70th minute.
Steelers resilience in defence and sharp attacking bursts proved the difference, as they overcame a physical Parramatta side that couldn’t convert any of their three tries.
Coach Jamie Szczerbanik was pleased with his side’s response after a frustrating first half.
“I thought we made our life a little bit hard in the first half there. We were trying to be to a little bit to pretty with the football rather than going after them,” Szczerbanik said.
“We had more of a pass first mentality rather than a run first mentality, but we addressed it at half time and said, ‘if it’s going to take down to the 35th minute of the second half to win the game well that’s the mentality we had to have,’ and funnily enough that’s what it came down to.”
The Steelers face the Roosters at home in Round 3 next Staurday before entering a stretch of six consecutive away games.
[Watch] Steelers winger Maria Paseka posts the home side’s first try.
Words | Angelina Raula