The Illawarra Steelers defeated the Bulldogs 30-4 in Round 8 of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership on Saturday afternoon in warm conditions at Collegians Sporting Complex.
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Despite an error-riddled first half the Steelers led 12-0 at the break through tries to Sophie Clancy and Tori Shipton before the visitors scored a four-pointer early in the second half to reduce the margin to eight.
With the game turning into an arm wrestle, both sides failed to capitalise on chances. A double to centre Indie Bostock ten minutes apart gave the Steelers the edge at 24-4. Mia-Rose Walsh put the icing on the cake with three minutes remaining.
“I think it was a bit of a gutsy win from the girls in the end,” Coach Jamie Szczerbanik said after the game.
“It doesn’t feel like we won 30-4. It feels a little bit like a loss. Just the performance we put in, but a couple of individual players there were just too good, and they stepped up today to help us get across the line.”
Powering Forward
Szczerbanik singled out forwards Trinity Tauaneai and Hope Millard for special mention.
“We had a couple of injury scares there, where a couple of girls had to come off and get assessed and an HIA there as well, and the weather being as warm as it is, a few of the middle forwards had to play big minutes and I thought Trinity Tauaneai was sensational.
“I spoke to her during the week about limiting her time and trying to freshen her up for the back end of the year, but I’ve had to keep her out there for long periods of time, and she was really good.
“Hope Millard was sensational, too. She played big minutes even though she came off the bench today, and that was meant to be freshening her up as well.
“But sometimes things don’t go as planned in rugby league, and you just roll with the punches.”
Playing out of position, five-eighth Tayleah Handcock was cool under pressure and kicked five conversions from five attempts.
“Tayleah Handcock was good at playing five-eighth today. She usually plays fullback, but she had a role that she had to do today, and I thought she was great.”
Goal Line Defence The Key
Once again, the Steeler’s defence stood tall, limiting the Bulldogs to one try despite several attacking raids.
“We pride ourselves on defence,” Szczerbanik said.
“One thing that has been a little bit of a thorn in our side has been barge-over tries with the bigger forwards when we’re defending our try line.
“To have no barge over tries today is very pleasing. To hold the Bulldogs to four points in an arm wrestle for probably 55 out of the 70 minutes is pleasing.”
The Steelers remain in second place on the ladder and will play the seventh-place Manly Sea Eagles away next Sunday.
Pictured: Steelers fullback Jessica Patea on the fly against the Bulldogs.