The Illawarra Steelers have kept their semifinal chances alive in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership with a thrilling 24-16 come-from-behind victory over the Cronulla Sharks at Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday evening.
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After back-to-back losses which saw them drop out of the top four for the first time this season, coach Jamie Szczerbanik was pleased that his team showed the resilience they had spoken about all week.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that with our season on the line, we spoke about who wanted it more.
“And today, the girls proved they wanted it more than the Sharks did. We got what we deserved based on the resilience we showed.”
Trailing 10-0, it was a try to Ella Churchill on the half-hour mark that gave the home side some momentum going into the break.
“Our completion rate was only 47% in the first half, and to be just six points behind was huge. We knew if we held the ball, we’d wear them down set by set,” Szczerbanik explained.
“After halftime, we completed our first couple of sets, turned up defensively for each other, and broke them downplay by play. In the end, we ran away with it.”
Sharks on the attack early
It was an intense start to the game with Sharks lock Taylor Ropata sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the fourth minute. However, it was the visitors who scored the first points.
Sharks hooker Koffi Brookfield crossing in the 15th minute, followed by winger Millie Caine, giving the Sharks a 10–0 lead at the 20 minute mark.
The Steelers struck back just before halftime when Churchill crossed to reduce the margin to 10–4 at the break. The comeback continued shortly after halftime with a converted try to player of the match Tahlia O’ Brien to level the score at 10-10.
The Sharks regained the lead through a penalty goal by Ella Ropata in the 48th minute and a try to centre Monique Donovan 52nd minute.
Studdon sparks Steelers comeback
Trailing 16-10 and with their season on the line, veteran halfback Maddie Studdon sparked the late comeback with a solo try in the 57th minute, reducing the deficit to 16-14.
A converted try to centre Tyra Ekepati on the hour mark gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match and a four-pointer cushion with ten minutes remaining.
Studdon admitted the Steelers had been “off” in the first half but credited belief in defence and discipline for the turnaround.
“We built a bit of momentum towards the back end of the first half. Even though we were making mistakes, we knew we had them.
“At halftime, Scissors (Szczerbanik) pointed out we were only at 46% completion, that’s terrible. But we knew if we just held the ball, we could get them.
“In the second half, our defence really stood up, and we showed how much this jersey means to us. We weren’t giving it up.”
With their season hanging in the balance, the victory held even greater significance.
“Every game is tough now, especially going into finals,” Studdon added. “Today was massive. I’m so proud of the effort, and I’m just glad we did it for our coaching staff, because they’ve put so much time in behind the scenes.”
[Watch] Steelers halfback Maddie Studdon takes the reins to peg one back for the hosts.
Apart from Studdon’s second half heroics, Captain McKenzie Lear’s second stint also helped spark her side’s comeback.
“Sometimes the girls can be a little flat, and I try to lift them a bit. But it’s really all the other girls doing the hard work.”
Lear said the response to last week’s disappointment was crucial.
“We were disappointed last week, so we didn’t want to feel like that again,” Lear said after the win.
“That was our big driver. Scissors gave us good tools, and we used them. It still wasn’t our best performance, but we got the job done.”
Despite their win and being tied for fourth place with Mounties and Sharks, the Steelers must win their final game against the Wenty Magpies and rely on other results to secure a spot in the four-team playoffs.
“We must go in with the same mindset, if not lift even more. The team we’re playing next week doesn’t have their season on the line, but they’ll still want to knock us off.
“We can’t take it lightly; it’ll probably need to be our best game of the season.”
Words | Angelina Raula
Photo | Rob Sheeley