The Gunnedah Red Devils women fell one game shy of a Central North Rugby Union (CNRU) grand final appearance, as the Tamworth Pirates inflicted a 31-12 defeat in last Saturday’s preliminary final at Gunnedah Rugby Park.
The Red Devils fell behind 21-0, and then bridged the margin to nine points before faltering again.
A win for the Red Devils would have set up a Gunnedah versus Narrabri decider for the third year in a row, but it wasn’t to be.
Gunnedah beat the Pirates 34-10 at the same venue three weeks earlier, but some key changes to the Tamworth team made a huge difference last weekend.
Dhalara Knox was the main one, as she scored four tries while showing blistering pace which the Red Devils couldn’t contain.
Knox scored the opening try following a kick on the five-minute mark, and then she scurried more than 50 metres to complete her double in the next couple of minutes.
When the Red Devils turned over the ball in the first minute of the second quarter, Tamworth’s Kate Ferguson broke away from would-be defence to stretch the margin to three converted tries.
A runaway try to Jean Littlewood on half-time brought Gunnedah back into the game, before she scored another determined try with a shade over 15 minutes remaining.
Gunnedah’s momentum stalled as hard-working forward Abby Nortrup exited with injury, and then the Pirates forced a vital turnover on three-quarter time.
Knox was again elusive just moments later, as she scored her third try to extend the margin to 14 points.
The Red Devils suffered another blow when Meri Leiataua was issued a yellow card, and then Knox scored the sole try of the final quarter.
After losing several players from the teams which lost the past two deciders to the Narrabri Blue Boars, Gunnedah did well to reach this year’s preliminary final in light of injuries and absent players at various stages of the season.
With the Blue Boars unbeaten this year, the Pirates seemingly need to produce a miracle to prevent them winning three consecutive premierships.
Gunnedah’s Meri Leiataua finds there is no way through the defence of the Tamworth Pirates.
