The Illawarra Steelers secured a commanding 32–14 victory against the Wests Tigers in the opening round of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership in front of a home crowd at Ziems Park on Saturday afternoon. A kicking masterclass from halfback Maddie Studdon and two tries to winger Kiara Kostovski helped spoil the visitors day trip.
With both sides guilty of committing unforced handling errors in greasy conditions, three converted tries in the opening 25 minutes set up the victory for the defending premiers.
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It was a dream start for the Steelers, who stamped their authority from the opening whistle, with prop Makayla McFayden, making her HNWP debut, bursting over the line in the second minute to give her side an immediate 6-0 advantage.
The early pressure continued to mount with centre Jessica Patea finding space out wide to cross in the 8th minute.
With confidence building and the home crowd behind them, the Steelers continued to roll forward. Kostovski dived over in the corner in the 23rd minute, after a clever switch of play from Studdon (pictured), extending the lead to 18–0.
[Watch] Steelers Winger Kiara Kostovski dives over in the corner for the first of her two tries.
A try to the Tigers Montana Mclean the only response from the visitors before Maria Paseka’s four-pointer seconds before half-time. Studdon was again the instigator with a 40-20 play before a slick backline move sent the NSW Blues Under’s 19’s representative over in the corner.
Fullback Tayleah Handcock, nailed three of four attempts in the first half, including one from near the sideline after Kostovki’s try, to ensure the Steelers were well in control at 22–4 at the main break.
Despite the scoreboard, the Tigers came out of the sheds with renewed energy, giving themselves a chance for a comeback.
McLean bagged her second try shortly after the resumption of play, and Tiresa Leasuasu muscled her way over in the 50th to cut the margin to 22–14 giving the visitors a brief flicker of momentum.
But the Steelers were quick to shut down any chance of a Tigers resurgence.
After making a break from deep inside her own half, Steelers five-eighth Georgie Barrett offloaded to Brittany Constable in support. Constable juggled the ball before quickly sending it to Kostovski who sprinted 40 metres down the sideline to score her second try in the 54th minute. Another successful conversion from Handcock extended the lead to 28-14.
[Watch] Kostovski bags a double
Three minutes later, Studdon put an exclamation mark on her Steelers debut with a perfectly placed grubber kick into the Tigers in-goal, second rower Tahlia O’Brien pouncing on the loose ball to seal the 18-point win.
Words | Angelina Raula