Group 11 will go from “strength to strength” after playing its first Western Women’s Rugby League Championship match on the weekend.
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While it wasn’t a perfect debut, Group 11 suffered a 30-4 loss to a slick Group 10 team at Blayney, the match itself lived up to the hype around the inaugural competition and delivered plenty of highlights.
Group 10 entered the match as raging favourites but Group 11 hooker Amy Townsend said her side had plenty to be proud of.
“We do have a lot to work on but for our first time together we were really solid,” she said.
“We were solid through the middle and in defence but you can’t score if you don’t have the ball.
“But (coach) Nick (Wilson) said for a group of girls playing together for the first time, we’ll learn from it and focus on a few different things and build on that foundation.”
One of the highlights for Group 11 was another stellar showing from Wellington’s Rhianna Sutherland, who was a powerhouse up front all day and scored her side’s lone try.
Townsend also singled out her sister April, Britt Naden and Cassandra Toomey as others who impressed in their Group 11 debut.
“The scoreline didn’t really reflect the game on the field,” she added.
“It was very tough and physical and there was a lot of positives for us.”
While the senior game finished in defeat, the Group 11 under 18s nines side started its campaign with a 36-6 win over Group 10.
Townsend, the coach of the team, described her side as “flawless” as it overcame some early nerves to dominate proceedings.
Taneka Todhunter scored a hat-trick in the eye-catching performance.
“Once they got into it they put everything we did in training into practice,” Townsend said.
“They defended with aggression and they completed their tackles and sets.
“I put my hand up to coach because they’re the future of Group 11 rugby league and that future is looking very bright and promising.
“And 90 percent of the team is 16 years old. They’re not even close to being 18 yet so to show that much composure was phenomenal.”
The other round one match saw Castlereagh thump Woodbridge Cup 36-0.
Group 11 takes on the Castlereagh side next-up at Forbes on Saturday.
Both the under 18s and opens games will kick-off after Western’s Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup games at Spooner Oval.
“We’re going to go from strength to strength but they will be tough to beat,” Townsend said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
