Sport
7 January, 2026
BEST OF 2025: Dirty dozen blitz Bourke with an impressive game
First published June 27, 2025. The Pink Parrot has well and truly had his wings clipped by their critical assessment of the ladies from the Flamin’ Galahs in last week’s edition.
By The Pink Parrot
The Pink Parrot described the Flamin’ Galahs performance as ‘indifferent’ in their win over Nyngan.
The Flamin’ Galahs know that revenge is a dish best served cold, and the humble pie that the ladies served to the Pink Parrot was icy at the Flamin’ Galahs defeated Bourke 31-0 in Western Plains Rugby Union Ahrens Cup Tri Tag action.
It began when 12 brave souls winged their way 367 kilometres along the Mitchell Highway via the Oxley Highway to take on the Bourke Ewes at Bourke.
It has been suggested that this route is the longest route in NSW Rugby Union for any team to travel to take on another rival.
Coach King labelled these twelve players the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and sent them on a mission to deploy and destroy.
The ‘Dirty Dozen’ arrived in enemy territory on an uncharacteristic warm 20 degrees celsius day in Bourke.
With only 12 players, meaning only two reserves for the entire match, coach King knew it was important for the ladies to again be patient, conserve their energy and strike at the opposition when they began to show signs of fatigue and impatience.
What unfolded over the next hour or so was one of the most outstanding performances to date shown by the Flamin’ Galahs this year.
The Flamin’ Galahs remained as instructed to be patient in defence and attack, and wait for opportunities to come.
Fullback Paige Wilson, never one to be patient, got the scoring off with a try after three minutes and converted her try for the Flamin’ Galahs to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Flamin’ Galahs controlled the game well. Centres Grace Lummis and Lucy Irish were causing the Bourke Ewes defence all sorts of drama in attack, making threatening runs every time.
The forwards, led by captain Makaila Gordon and Jess Fleming, started the trend by running hard at the Bourke Ewes relentlessly, which began to tire the Bourke ladies quickly.
Great control and quick play at the ruck by rover Clementine McIntosh and fill-in scrum half Peta Bradley was also quickly causing concern for Bourke.
It was only a short time later that a great backline play to the left saw winger Sharna Steadman score in the Bourke Ewes corner and take the score to 12-0. Paige again converted the try, and the score at half time was 14-0. The first half was highlighted by Grace Lummis having her best game of her short tri tag rugby career. Grace was in everything in attack and defence.
Credit is also due to the wingers Kelsey Hutchison and Teagan Watt, who were tagging the house down on the fringes and causing all sorts of dramas when over laps were created time after time by the Flamin’ Galah backline.
The fly-half for the Flamin’ Galahs, Caitlynn Mills, aka CK, was only just warming into the task on what was to be an electrifying performance by her in the second half.
Shortly into the second half a break was made by winger Sharna Steadman who opened up the Bourke Ewes like Moses parted the Red Sea.
Great passing from the backline led to this play and Sharna ran some fifty metres before drawing the last Bourke player in defence and making a beautiful pass to Paige backing up who went off and scored under the post. Paige converted the try and the Flamin’ Galahs led 21-0.
By this stage the Flamin’ Galahs were in full control and the Bourke Ewes tried attack after attack only to the thwarted by great defence from the ‘Dirty Dozen’. CK was reading the play and making break after break through a depleted and tiring Bourke Ewes backline. CK’s show and go plays were almost hypnotising to the defence.
It should also be noted that Caitlin Spora was also having one of her best games. Caitlin’s hard running at the line and also tagging in defence is a credit to her as she excels with every week that she plays.
In the 15th minute of the second half Paige did a smart kick through when close to the Bourke tryline and was able to pounce and score. The try was not converted and the score was now 26-0.
Forwards Mak and Caitlin continued pressing forward having the Bourke ladies on the backfoot. This allowed forward Jess Fleming to make the forward break of the match when she left about four or five Bourke ladies grasping for air as she ran with complete domination on a 40-metre bust. It was a show stopper of a run. The ladies drifting defence was much improved as well as their ball security.
With about five minutes remaining it was left to none over then Grace who appeared to have spiders on her when approaching the Bourke defence. Grace made a break through the Bourke defensive line and ran some 50 metres to score a well deserved try on what was a remarkable game by this young lady. The try was not converted and shortly after that the full-time siren sounded and the Flamin’ Galahs kept their unbeaten run intact with a 31-0 victory.
Coach King could not have been prouder of these ladies and the effort they had put in. The Flamin’ Galahs will have their first game at McGrane Oval Gilgandra under lights this Friday night when they take on the ladies of the Warren Pumas.
Points for the game were as follows: Grace Lummis three points. Mak, Paige, CK, Caitlin, Jess, Peta, Clem, Lucy, Tegan, Kelsey and Sharna all shared two points in what was a wonderful team performance.
Players’ player was the hard hitting forward Jess.
