The Gunnedah Bulldogs booked a place in this year’s Mid Season Women’s Tackle grand final, as the Bulldogs downed the Moree Boars 30-20 in last Saturday’s semi-final at Boughton Oval.
Qualifying for the decider was no small feat for the Bulldogs in the first year of Group 4 women’s rugby league, particularly after Gunnedah didn’t feature in the inaugural Ladies Tackle competition in April and May.
Gunnedah’s grand final opponent will be decided this Saturday, as Moree opposes Dungowan which thumped North Tamworth 50-12 last Sunday.
Last Saturday was Moree’s first defeat in the competition, not to mention the Boars had beaten a depleted Bulldogs outfit 42-0 when the teams met on June 29.
The Bulldogs were also below full strength last Saturday as the team contained 10 players including a late arrival, and had no subs while the Boars had a squad of 15.
Goal-kicking was decisive as the teams scored five tries apiece, with Gunnedah’s Apryl Bailey landing five conversions from five attempts while Moree failed to land a single goal.
Gunnedah’s Zoe Eather crossed for the opening try in the first five minutes, only for Moree to reply quickly with a try to Daharna Wightman.
The Bulldogs moved ahead 12-4, before the Boars responded again as Aleah Peckham touched down.
A converted try to Torika Nadruku gave the visiting side a handy 18-8 half-time lead, before Peckham’s second try was followed by a try to Moree’s Shakaya Williams.
Due to the goal-kicking, it was telling that Gunnedah’s scoring increased in sixes while Moree’s increased in fours, as the Bulldogs led 18-16 despite being outscored four tries to three.
A converted try to Tara Wilkinson-Ryan stretched the margin to eight points with eight minutes left, before Williams set up a nail-biting final four minutes as she bagged her second try.
The Boars faltered soon afterwards, and then Dakota Durrant sealed Gunnedah’s victory and grand final spot with a converted try.
