They suffered,and endured, and now the Mudgee Dragons women's opens side has made it to the second last dance of the Western Women's Rugby League competition.
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Heading to Forbes to compete in the semi-final alongside their under 13s counterparts, the opens squad are ready to give it their all.
Opens coach Guy Pascoe says that while they coped a 30 odd point thrashing in the first round, his side have turned the tables around to earn their spot.
"The opens girls have couldn't score a point for the first two games and actually, in the last two rounds, they've gone and scored 74 points and then 24 again so they've really turned it around," he said.
"I guess that's due to the girls getting to know each other more because there were quite a few new girls this year, we've had a couple of bonding sessions."
Pascoe spoke highly of the newly formed Mudgee under 13s side who have a 'big chance' of making it to the grand final against going head to head with Castlereagh after their stunning season.
"The under 13s in particular have only lost one game this year, so for their first year of competition, that's a pretty huge effort," he said.
Neither teams get any second bites at the cherry, if they lose they're out.
- Mudgee Dragons women's open coach, Guy Pascoe
Harriet Messner, Claudua Shearman, Haley Joseph, Lala Lautaimi, and Meghan Rutledge are expected to be the ones to watch on the weekend, and while Rutledge is new to the team, Pascoe says she's made all the difference.
"Meg is a newcomer to the team and she's taken to it like a duck to water, she's incredibly strong and wants to really put in the team which is exactly what we needed," he said.
"But those four in particular will have a big impact."
Pascoe is confident the red and white outfit can get the job done, but says the first 15 minutes will be crucial.
"We're really looking forward to this weekend's game against the Dubbo Goannas. They haven't been beaten in two seasons, the challenge is there for us but I think we're up for it," he said.
"Knowing Dubbo, they'll come out at 100 miles per hour from the start and we've just got to match them in that first 15 minute period.
If we can hold them for that period and work our way into the game, we'll be a big show.
The Mudgee Dragons women's opens side will take on the Dubbo Goannas at Spooner Oval, Forbes at 1.30pm on November 17, while the under 13s play Castlereagh on November 17 at 9.45am.
"A big thank you goes out to our sponsors who have helped us get to where we are," Pascoe 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.
