Photo: South-Coast Monaro 2022 women’s team.
South-Coast Monaro defeated Southern Inland 19- 14 in the Brumbies Provincial Championship at Wagga in windy and cold conditions on Saturday, June 11 which featured the Yass Ewes’ own Clare Whitmore.
The squads were selected at the beginning of the month with South-Coast Monaro featuring several players from Goulburn and Bungendore.
Connolly Rugby Park hosted both the men’s and women’s games last Saturday, June 11.
Trailing 14-0 at halftime, Pearl Rakete put South Coast Monaro on the board 18 minutes into the second half off the back of a blindside pass from scrum-half Jordan Brooker.
Still nine points down with just 16 minutes left on the clock, Monaro appeared to be in trouble as Southern Inland pushed through at ten metres out nearly scoring a try. But Monaro’s substitute winger Krystal Blackwell pulled in a difficult intercept before running 95 metres to score a try between the posts.
The conversion by fullback Ashlea Bishop reduced the gap to 14-12. Monaro retained control applying pressure to Southern Inland’s defence until it caved, and Tayla Stanford crossed from a penalty tap with six minutes left on the clock.
Ashlea again completed the conversion extending Monaro’s lead to 19-14 and held on to the lead for the win.
The annual event forms part of a refreshed Brumbies representative program, with a Brumbies Men’s and Women’s Country side selected after the weekend’s fixtures.
Brumbies deputy CEO and General Manager Community Rugby, Craig Leseberg said Saturday was an exciting day in our representative calendar and kicks off our journey towards picking ACT and Southern NSW Griffins and Kestrels sides later this year.
“Creating a pathway for talent from across our region is of huge importance to the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union.”
The Brumbies Country side will play against Brumbies City South and Brumbies City North sides, which are chosen from Canberra-based teams in the ACT Women’s Premier 15s and ACT Women’s 10s competition, on September 17.
Players from that match will then chase spots in the ACT & Southern NSW Griffins team.
Brianna O’Rourke
