The Goulburn Dirty Reds notched up their biggest ever win against Gungahlin in their 44-7 victory over the Eagles at Poidevin Oval on Saturday.
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The Reds notched up seven tries to one in their long-awaited return to the paddock.
On paper the score probably doesn't do justice to how hard Gungahlin made Goulburn work for the win.
While the result was never in doubt, it took Goulburn a long while to fall into a groove and gain control. And given that they haven't played a full game of rugby since June 26 that's probably understandable.
The first half itself was a bit of a cheese-fest with each side receiving two yellow cards, mostly for repeat infringements. There were more cards than an episode of Dancing with the Stars, except all the scores were yellow. But that didn't signify a contentious or dirty match - both sides played in good, disciplined, competitive spirit.
In any event, either both teams lifted their discipline in the second half, or the ref re-calibrated his sense of what was and wasn't a yellow card, and there were no cards issued in the second half.
Goulburn was up 24-7 at the break. Typically the Reds have stronger-scoring second halves, but the Eagles weren't ready to submit. With the highest total of bonus points in the competition, Gungahlin have shown a tenacity even in their losses to hang in there with their opponents.
While they didn't earn a bonus point in this match (which you get for either scoring four or more tries, or losing by less than seven), Gungahlin did stem the flow of tries a little and Goulburn was only able to cross the line three times in the second half.
But despite Gungahlin's solid defence, there was still a bit of room for Goulburn flair. Goulburn's final try of the match was a real entertainer, running up the right flank for almost the entire length of the field switching inside and out to supporting runners before Hamish McCormack received the final pass and the try.
The win assures Goulburn of the minor premiership in a season that has been very stop-start and frustrating.
A glut of byes to accommodate ADFA and RMC, added to Royals forfeiting last weekend, and (through no-one's fault) a match against Wests reduced to just 24 minutes due to a serious injury to a Wests player, have severely limited Goulburn's match time and preparation. However, the Dirty Reds remain undefeated and have scored at least 44 points in every game (except that 24-minute one).
Next weekend they will play Easts at Griffith playing fields in Canberra.
Best and fairest points went to Abram Kara (3), Ben Todkill (2), Harry Newby (1) and Henry Cooper (1). Ben Todkill, who was in blockbusting form, picked up the Players' Player award. Makes you wonder why he didn't want to play in the centres earlier this year. Go figure.
Goulburn 44 (Mik Webber 2, Brad Clements, Alec Palmer, Jacob Kara, Adam Lachlan, Hamish McCormack tries, Webber 3 conversions and one penalty goal) def Gungahlin 7.
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