Twenty eight seconds

With no expectations going into the game, a strong and amazing group of ladies lined up beside each other with one goal in mind: to do our best and hope for a great result and aim for at least one try. 

The game started with a fantastic kick off from Laura Eastlake, so strong that it was dropped by one of the Kangaroo players, five metres from the try line. 

A play of the ball from Nikita Bruce to Jess McInerney, followed by a quick offload allowed Laura Eastlake to go straight through and score a try! 

The excitement of the try had not only the players, coach and manager but, the whole crowd off their seats applauding the girls for their efforts.

Not only did they score the first try, but it only took 28 seconds. 

The supporters knew this was going to be a game to watch, and with the crowd behind the team, the ladies  knew they were in with a chance. 

And with a successful conversion from Laura, the team was ready. 

The Kangaroos kicked to the Cherryettes and Ashley Rolfe took the kick with ease, making about 15 metres to place the team in a good position on the field. 

It took a lot of defence and teamwork to keep them out, with strong defence from Jenna Mackenzie, Tanika Silk, Danika Coddington in the centres keeping the Kangaroos out for a period of time. 

However a quick play of the ball and the speed of the Kangaroos caught the Cherryettes off guard and they went through the defensive line to score. With the score now even, the team knew they needed to keep their heads up. 

It took a period of time for either teams to show that they were going for a try, with the Cherryettes having majority of the ball possession, it was looking promising! 

The tagging was incredible with Lucy Eastlake and Kirby LeStrange putting their bodies on the ground time after time, stopping them in their tracks. 

Not long before half-time, the Kangaroos put a kick in and were lucky to score. With only minutes to go the score was 12-6. The fight continued. 

In attack we knew what needed to be done, we needed to move that ball quickly and maximise on the speed in our team. 

With some plays saw the ball landing in Kristy Murphy’s hands when she spotted an opening and put Holly Cullen straight through to score yet another try for the Cherryettes. Eastlake successfully converted it to tie the score up at 12-12 going into half time. 

Knowing that the score was tight, they went back onto the field. The ball change resulted in the Cherryettes defending a lot, with Naomi Dawe, Lori Parmley and Mikayla Basham now showing what they had and stopping the Kangaroos. 

The opposition had to adjust their game plans as the defence and fight from the Cherryettes became too strong. 

The kangaroos knew they had a lot more to do, and quick hands from their captain coach put one of their players through gap to score a try, but were unsuccessful in converting. 

The score now, 16-12. 

The attack continued to be strong and saw the Cherryettes back at their try line with teamwork from Nikita, Jess and Kristy.

Kristy went in for another try.

The referee was unsure if it was successful, and he consulted the touch referee who ruled it a forward pass. 

With three minutes to go the Kangaroos went through again off a missed tag to take the game to 20-12. 

But this was not the end. There was a quick team of Cherryettes knowing there was still hope.

They took the ball to their try line again, unfortunately not scoring. The final result was 20-12.

Despite going down by six points, in the Cherryettes’ eyes this was a win. The teamwork and skills of the Cherryettes was outstanding, if this game is something to go by, the next six weeks could bring some exciting news. 

Congratulations to Laura Eastlake who took players’ player. Well done ladies, a fantastic game.