Sport
7 June, 2025
Flamin’ Galahs win against previously unbeaten Walgett Ewes
The Flamin’ Galahs were primed and pumped for this outing and ran out full of confidence that they could give their so-called fancier rivals a run for their money.
By The Pink Parrot
It was the top of the table clash last Saturday, May 31 at Gulargambone’s number one oval as the undefeated Flamin’ Galahs took on the undefeated Walgett Ewes in round four of the Ahrens Women’s Western Plains Tri Tag Rugby Competition.
The Flamin’ Galahs in their past 180 minutes of tri tag rugby had conceded only three tries.
But this was not as impressive as the Walgett Ewes ladies, who had not conceded a single point up to this derby with their foes, the Flamin’ Galahs.
The Walgett Ewes had a full squad of 20 ladies for the game, and the Flamin’ Galahs were not far behind them with a team of 18.
The game ebbed and flowed for the first fifteen minutes as both teams worked out their defence and attack strategies. The Flamin’ Galahs were up in the faces of the Walgett ladies, suffocating them in defence. In the 17th minute, the scoring opened when a scrum base move by halves Sarah Chandler and Caitlynn King left the Walgett ladies scratching their heads as to which way the backline had gone and classy centre Rachel Drury strolled over for the first try on the left side. Peta Bradley converted the try, and the Flamin’ Galahs had a 7-0 lead.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, the Flamin’ Galahs backline was again in operation to put Paige Wilson through a hole. That was all Paige required to break the line and hearts of the Walgett team as she ran off to score under the post.
Peta again converted the try, and the Flamin’ Galahs held a handy 14-0 lead at half time.
The Flamin’ Galahs were well on top of their opponents in all facets of attack and defence in the first half.
The half-time talk was again about not letting complacency sneak into the game and to put the foot on the throat of the opposition and continue to dominate the attack yardage and meet the Walgett ladies attack at the advantage line each time and continue to suffocate the Walgett ladies in defence. The Flamin’ Galahs also realised that their play the balls at the ruck was slow and were allowing the opposition time to get ready in defence.
They had a plan to counteract this in the second half. In the second half of the opening 15 minutes, the game was again dictated and dominated by the Flamin’ Galahs. The Flamin’ Galahs ruck speed became much quicker as planned, and this led to moments of fatigue in the Walgett ladies backline defence, and holes were developing. A wonderful show of backline hands again by the Flamin’ Galahs in their half saw centre Lucy Irish sprint some fifty metres to score a try on the left edge under the post. The try was, unfortunately, was not converted, and the scoreline was now 19-0 in favour of the Flamin’ Galahs.
With 10 minutes to go in the match, centre Rani Diggs produced a most scintillating individual try from 50 metres out when she weaved and side-stepped her way through no less than four to five tiring Walgett defenders to score a brilliant try under the post. The try again was unfortunately not converted, and the Flamin’ Galahs held a dominant 24-0 lead over a team that, up until today, had not had a point scored against them in this competition.
To the Walgett ladies credit, they came back hard at the Flamin’ Galahs, who may have taken the foot off the accelerator slightly. They peppered the Flamin’ Galahs try line time after time, and with six minutes remaining, the Walgett ladies scored through a smart backline play that was not converted, and the score at full-time was the Flamin’ Galahs victors 24-5.
This was a wonderful result by the Flamin’ Galahs squad, who continue to develop their tri-tag rugby skills and fitness each week with dedicated hard training runs.
This dedication and commitment are paying dividends for the whole squad, not just by a select few. This team plays as a full squad, not as ten players on the field.
Every player in this squad has the trust and confidence that they know, no matter which player is on the field, they know their role and responsibility and can complete the task that they are required to do.
The forwards of Makaila Gordon, Jess Fleming, Canelle Coppin and Caitlin Spora were again dominant. The line-breaking ability of the centres Lucy Irish, Grace Lummis, Rani Diggs and Rachel Drury classy as ever.
The wingers Sharna Steadman, Kelsey Hutchison, Elle Wykes and Teagan Watt never stopped looking for work. Pink rovers Clementine McIntosh and Peta Bradley were relentless in getting to the breakdown each time. Smooth control of the plays is always evident by Caitlynn King and Heidi Ferguson at the fly-half. And our spine of Sarah Chandler at scrum half and fullback Paige Wilson is always diligent and tireless.
Points this week were awarded as follows. Three points were given to Lucy. Two points to Paige. One point each to Rani and Jess. Our player’s player was the ‘French Resistance’ import who had a wow of a game in the forwards, Canelle Coppin.
The competition takes a break for the King’s Birthday long weekend. The Flamin’ Galahs will be flocking their way to Nyngan on Saturday, June 14, to see if they continue this impressive start to the competition.
