COOK HAS RIGHT RECIPE TO SAVE CLYDESDALES
The Western Clydesdales are a step closer to playing finals footy in their inaugural BMD Premiership season after a thrilling win at the weekend.
Lining up at BMD Kougari Oval the Clydesdales beat Wynnum Manly Seagulls 24-20. Both sides scored four tries with the kicking of Clydesdales second rower Zoe Cook ultimately proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Here’s our look at the major talking points from the game.
CLYDESDALES RESPOND WELL
With a win going a long way to potentially determining their finals hopes both teams had everything to play for at BMD Kougari Oval.
From the opening minute to the final whistle the match was an arm wrestle with both teams scoring four tries apiece and kicking the only difference between the sides.
The Clydesdales deserve praise for the response to a number of setbacks including going behind just two minutes before halftime and conceding a try despite having a player advantage in the second half.
Resilience and staying calm will be important ‘strengths’ to have if the team plays finals footy this season.
BEST 1-2 BENCH PUNCH
It’s safe to say the Clydesdales have a 1-2 bench forward combo the envy of most BMD Premiership sides.
Veteran star Steph Hancock and young gun Jessikah Reeves have differing skill sets and playing styles but the pair have formed a partnership that has proven to be extremely effective for the Clydesdales.
The Clydesdales starting pack have been impressive this season with lock Tara Rienke ranking among the top five players for run metres and the likes of Ashlee Makim, Therese Aiton, Katelyn Collie, Mackenzie Zeller and Zoe Cook always willing to make the hard runs.
Against the Seagulls Hancock entered the fray just seven minutes into the game with fellow forward Ashlee Makim taken off for a head injury assessment and Reeves was brought on in the 13th minute.
With both teams battling to take control in the middle of the park the addition of Hancock and Reeves turned the tide in the Clydesdales favour. Hancock’s hard running and Reeves ability to step and change direction created headaches for the Seagulls defence.
The star duo are great impact players who allow the Clydesdales to keep the pressure on opposition defences and that will serve them well if they feature in the finals this year.
FORWARD TRIES
There’s no questioning the attacking quality of the Clydesdales backline.
The likes of Georgia Sim and Leianne Tufuga have really stamped their mark on the competition and they’ve been more than well supported by the quality play of their teammates.
Coach Mitch Sargent however will be equally pleased to see his forwards chipping in with points.
Reinke and Reeves barged over for tries at key points in Sunday’s game to help the Clydesdales secure a win.
DARLING DOWNS FLAVOUR
Two of the Seagulls star performers would be familiar to Darling Downs rugby league fans.
Former Scots PGC College (Warwick) student Emily Bass was a standout at fullback playing a leading hand in her team’s attacking raids while also marshalling their defence.
Bass, who has also starred for the Queensland Maroons and in the NRLW, featured alongside Mariah Brown.
Brown, a former Toowoomba Rugby League junior, was a handful at centre and has been one of the Seagulls must watch players this season.