The Yass Magpies defeated Goulburn City Bulldogs 20 – 0 in Round 10 of the Katrina Fanning Shield (KFS) last Sunday, July 10 in an away game at Workers Arena.
Alanna Dummett scored twice for the Magpies, while Jenna Cooke and Kayla Fleming each crossed for one try.
While Tijana Zdravevska and Kaitlyn Andrews each converted a conversion out of Yass’ four attempts.
The top of the table clash broke the Bulldogs streak, who until now had not lost a game at home this year. The sides also met earlier this season in Round 1 with the Magpies securing a 30 – 18 win at home.
The Magpies KFS have not conceded a loss this season yet touchwood, but Coach Brendon Houston said it was still a gritty win on Sunday.
“I think we were zero from five to start the game in terms of completing sets,” he said. There were several errors in the Magpies attack, which gave Goulburn some opportunities, but Yass’ defence held strong.
Yass turned it around in the second half playing some solid footy and scored a few tries. “We definitely earned it, Goulburn were pretty tough out there and the conditions made it pretty difficult,” Brendon said.
The Goulburn weather was not ideal with some strong winds, rain on and off, and there was a heavy track after ongoing wet weather.
A standout of the match was Alanna Dummett, who was awarded Player’s Player after being moved into the halves from the centre due to usual halfback Hollie Massey’s absence. Kristy Huey also made some awesome defensive plays on the wing which saved a try.
“But everyone played really well and they really dug in deep defensively,” the coach said. “It’s just a good solid team effort, a real gritty win.”
“It was a very back and forth game just in terms of momentum and things like that, so I think it’s kind of the win we needed for the year.”
“Even when things weren’t going right and we’d make a mistake we would back it up with just effort in defence,” Brendon said. “I think [Goulburn] had three or four sets on our line and we still managed to hold them out or force an error and get the ball back.”
Yass has had several comprehensive wins in recent rounds, but Brendon said to pick up one that felt truly earned was a bonus adding that, for him, the whole game was the shining light.
Next, the Yass Magpies are set to tackle the Tuggeranong Bushrangers again on July 23 in Round 11 at 10:45am at Greenway Oval after a break this weekend.
Brendon said he was feeling confident after last weekend’s match defeating one of the other top sides in the competition on their home turf in egregious conditions.
“The Bushrangers are big improvers, but I think the way we’re playing and just the level we’re at, I think we should get the win,” he said. “But like I always say, we’ve got to respect them on the day and still come out putting our best foot forward.”
Brianna O’Rourke
