The Illawarra Steelers Tarsha Gale U19’s campaign was halted one step from the finishing line with a 30-14 defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks.
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The Steelers scored first with a try by winger Charlotte Campbell off a well-placed crossfield kick by Tahlie O’Brien in the 10th minute, taking a 4-0 lead. However, the Roosters responded quickly to level the score. The score remained tied through to the break as both teams continued to battle it out for the rest of the half.
[Watch] Steelers winger Charlotte Campbell scores on the end of a clever kick from five-eighth Tahlia O’Brien
A converted try to the Roosters on the resumption of play was quickly followed by a four-pointer from Siulolu Richter crashing over for the Steelers, who trailed 10-8 just five minutes into the second half.
In a see-sawing affair, the Roosters scored next, extending their lead to 14-8. However, tenacious hooker Tori Shipton (pictured) crossed for the defending premiers, levelling the scores again at 14 apiece in the 43rd minute.
With the Steelers aiming for a second consecutive grand final appearance, the momentum shifted to the Roosters, who scored three straight tries, giving them an unassailable 16-point lead with five minutes remaining.
“Saturday didn’t go the way we hoped — we fell short on the fundamentals, and that’s what made the difference in the end. That said, I can’t fault the girls’ effort, and I’m confident they’ll take a lot of valuable lessons from the experience,” Coach Courtney Crawford said.
Reflecting on the season overall, finishing as minor premiers with seven wins and only one loss during the regular season, Crawford feels incredibly proud of her team’s performance.
“Week in and week out, the girls put in a tremendous amount of effort — not just during games, but at training as well. Their commitment, resilience, and willingness to learn never wavered, and it really showed in the improvement we saw over the course of the season.
“It’s been rewarding to watch them grow both individually and as a team, and they should be proud of how far they’ve come.”