"It wasn't meant to be."
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On Sunday March 17, the Mudgee Dragons women's rugby league opens side were up against the Panorama Platypus in a semi-final clash for the Western Women's Rugby League competition.
The Bathurst side were back to full strength with players returning from rep commitments, but that didn't seem to unbalance the Dragons.
"The girls were really confident heading into the game, they weren't nervous about going up against Panorama at all," opens coach Guy Pascoe said.
Mudgee came out firing at the sound of the whistle taking the first point of the game.
However, Bathurst hit back and so the 'seesaw' effect was in place.
We started very well, we were completing our sets and we were the first point scorers of the match.
- Guy Pascoe
"But Bathurst hit back and it there was a bit of seesawing going on in the first half.
"We went to the half time break even Steven as far as points go."
Returning to the field after the half time break, the Dragons looked to be slightly worn out which led to mistakes being made at critical points throughout the game resulting in a score board of 34-22.
"We dropped the ball a bit and handed over possession in crucial stages especially in our own half," Guy said.
"Panorama capitalised on the mistakes and pushed forward on the scoreboard, that's what a strong team does.
"We created a few opportunities ourselves, I think there was three times when we had people in space but the last pass seemed to go to ground, we couldn't get the last pass to stick.
It was just one of those days, that's football. Panorama finished the stronger of two sides, it wasn't meant to be.
Lala Lautaimi scored three tries for the Dragons, Harriet Messner kicked three goals while under 18s player Georgia Ward stepped up and placed down one try in her first game in opens.
"She actually played a blinder of a game. She stepped up from the under 18s and played her first ever opens football in the semi-final game," Pascoe said.
"She came off the bench and absolutely killed it. She made some big runs into the Panorama defensive line and actually knocked over the larger players for them all day, she was really good in defense.
"It was an all-round great game from her."
Next season is looking like a positive from Pascoe as he says there's a lot of interest from current and soon to be players.
"Things are looking really positive for next year. Lots of the girls have said they will play again next year and there has also been some other ladies say they would like to play who aren't already playing," Pascoe said.
I think if we can get a pre-season under a belt and do a bit more there, I think we'll be an even better side next year.
"I would just like to thank all the supporters and the sponsors and everyone that was involved with our club."
This weekend (March 23) the under 18s will take on the Orange Vipers at Wellington and Pascoe says they're in with a good chance.
"They've improved a hell of a lot. I think their chances are good," he said.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
