Dragons prevail over Sharks

NIGHTCLIFF secured a week off and a spot in the NRL NT women’s premiership grand final with a 20-14 win over the Northern Sharks at Rugby Park yesterday.

The minor premiers were tested all the way to the fulltime siren, but ultimately prevailed when Elle Hardwick crossed for her second meat pie with three minutes to play.

Coach Bas Lewis said it was a true team performance from his side.

“The girls have practised really hard on our defence this year and it is showing through,” the Dragons boss said. “We have the attack, the backline is crisp as, but we still needed the forwards to go forward. And that was the difference (yesterday); they put it all together.”

Tries to Justine Sou and Karzi Williams in the first half were cancelled out by fourpointers to Bianca Stokes and Kirsty Cooper for the Sharks, leading to a 10-all stalemate at the break.

Hardwick scored her first 10 minutes into the second half, but the Sharks wouldn’t lie down and got back within two points when Stokes barged through four would-be tacklers to score with eight minutes to play.

Yesterday’s contest was the first time any team had truly challenged Nightcliff, and Sharks coach Steve Casey said his side would take many positives into next weekend’s preliminary final against Litchfield, which beat Sistaz 32-0 in the elimination final to advance.

“Some of our key players were really hurting at half time due to the 12.30pm kick-off and I think the way we finished was pretty impressive,” Casey said.

“As long as we don’t get too confident, and play the Bears the way we played against Nightcliff, I think it will be a good way to go into the grand final.”