LIGHTNING’S STRIKE A WINNER FOR WOMEN’S RUGBY
A STIRRING 80-minute performance which resulted in a triumph over Townsville in what some described as the best match of the weekend has FNQ Lightning coach Jeremy Anderson optimistic about the representative rugby program.
Anderson fully expects to see a number of FNQ Lightning representatives named for the North Queensland team to compete at the Queensland Country Championships in Toowoomba on July 1-3.
A STIRRING 80-minute performance which resulted in a triumph over Townsville in what some described as the best match of the weekend has FNQ Lightning coach Jeremy Anderson optimistic about the representative rugby union program.
A Taesha Ahwang try in the final minutes of Saturday night’s clash with the Brolgas sealed a 5-3 win, before Townsville turned the tables on Sunday to win the second game 18-5.
There were plenty of strong performers for the hometown Lightning, who fielded two largely different teams for each game.
Stephanie Barns, one of a handful of players to suit up for both games, put in two big shifts, while Ashton Kelly was named the Lightning’s player of the weekend.
“Ash played some massive games,” Anderson said. “She came up with some crucial turnovers and the experience will let her up well.
“Eleanor Suavai was another good performer, she was great in defence on Saturday. She came up with some really big bootlace tackles to keep us in the game and bring a lot of energy.”
There was one period of nervousness for Anderson.
Leading 5-3 and into extra time, Anderson simply wanted his players to find touch to end the game and seal the win.
“We’d get a kick away and it would just roll downfield and I’d be saying ‘please just kick it out’,” Anderson said with a laugh. “Townsville kept coming back at us but we held them out.”
Anderson fully expects to see a number of FNQ Lightning representatives named for the North Queensland team to compete at the Queensland Country Championships in Toowoomba on July 1-3.
“I spoke with the coach and he was pretty happy with how it went,” Anderson said.
“I think we’ll get a few players in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a few go further and play for Queensland Country.”
Anderson, and a majority of the players, will now return to the five-team FNQ Rugby competition.
But the work won’t stop as Anderson, who coaches Southside Crusaders, flagged that he would stay involved with players as they not only chase higher honours now, but lay the platform for the future of the program.
“The girls have set the standard of what level we want rugby to be played here,” Anderson said.
“We’re trying to grow and improve rugby, and that win really helps.”