All four Illawarra Steelers teams celebrated victories in Round 4, with the women’s teams recording comprehensive wins over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday. To round out the weekend, the men’s teams secured narrow victories in New Zealand on Sunday.
In the Lisa Fiaola Cup, the Steelers dominated the match by scoring 12 unanswered tries, with Mia Davis scoring a hat-trick. Courtney Crawford’s team also made a strong comeback after last week’s two point loss to the Bulldogs, winning 40-10 against the Rabbitohs.
Meanwhile, across the ditch, the men’s teams mirrored this success with the undefeated Harold Matthews team securing a 22-16 victory over the Warriors, while SG Ball managed to hold on for a close 28-26 win.
The weekend wrap, is brought to you by Steelers.
The U17 girls ran out convincing winners over the Rabbitohs 60-0, scoring 12 unanswered tries. Apart from the impressive Davis hat-trick, second rower Charlotte Nicholson scored two tries and five conversions bringing her personal tally to 18 points.
[Watch] Mia Davis scores her third try of the match after clever lead up work from five-eighth Skye Spencer (main picture).
In the Tarsha Gale Cup, the Steelers team bounced back from last week’s narrow two-point loss, defeating the Rabbitohs 40-10.
A first-half brace to hooker Tori Shipton and tries to co-captain Maria Paseka and Billie Va’a established a solid 22-0 lead at the break.
Sarah Palepale increased the lead shortly after the second half began. The Rabbitohs managed to score back-to-back tries through center April Chappell, but two more converted tries from the Steelers dashed any hopes of a comeback.
[Watch] Tori Shipton scores after making a long break earlier in the set.
Harold Matts Remain Undefeated
Harold Matthew Cup maintained their winning record with a 22-16 victory over the Warriors. Jack Goulder scored a double with Oliver Burton and Jaxon Ballinger also crossing the stripe in the four tries to three victory.
[Watch] Jack Goulder crosses for his second try to secure the win for Harold Matts
In an exciting SG Ball match, the Steelers secured the two competition points in a see-saw battle. The Steelers jumped to an early 10-0 lead with two quick tries, but the Warriors responded with three tries of their own to take a 14-10 advantage.
The Steelers regained momentum with a penalty kick by Tom Kirk, followed by a try from winger Saifiti Saifiti. The Warriors answered back with a try before halftime, leading 20-16 at the break.
The lead changed once again early in the second half when Steelers replacement Beau Baldock scored a try; however, a successful penalty goal from the Warriors tied the game at 22-22.
The Warriors were next to score to, establishing a 26-22 lead 15 minutes into the second half.
The Steelers regained control with a converted try by Charlie Heidke off a towering Aaymon Fitzgibbon bomb in the 53rd minute, successfully holding off a determined effort from the Warriors.
[Watch] Charlie Heidke scores the winning try in SG Ball