Wallabies’ baptism of fire against NPL giants

MUDGEERABA concede they have a lot to learn after sampling the best in the business in their NPL women’s season opener.

The Wallabies hosted The Gap, arguably the strongest club in the NPLQ for many years and the competition’s premiers, at Sid Bigg Park and were on the wrong end of a 15-0 result.

The Wallabies had a horror start and were down 8-0 at halftime against the slick 2017 champions.

At least, said coach David Thompson, the Wallabies, led by Ailie Rennie (pictured), have now played probably the best there is and he told his players they now had to work hard and keep on building.

“It was an induction of fire, really,” Thompson said.

“The Gap has probably been the best side for the past six years. We knew that coming in and I asked them at halftime what can we learn from it.

“We’re a predominantly young side and all of these girls played in the local competition last year and moved up a level.”

Gold Coast United’s women had their NPL match against Mitchelton postponed because of the weather.

It is possible the match will be played tomorrow night, although last night coach Michael Cook was unsure.

After all girls’ matches and boys’ under-16, under-18 and under-20 matches were not played Saturday, United had a clean sweep in three lower-age boys divisions yesterday at Robina Station Reserve.

Playing against Sunshine Coast, United won 5-0 in under-13s, by 3-2 in the under-14s, and 7-1 in under-15s.

Those results gave new NPL club United a weekend record of 17 goals for and just four conceded after their seniors won 3-1 in the open men against Cairns FC on Saturday night.

Gold Coast United are now set for their home-ground debut this weekend when they host Brisbane Roar Youth in open men, and against Brisbane club Eastern Suburbs in the open women’s division.