Central Coast Rugby League: Berkeley Vale makes history by winning inaugural women’s tackle grand final

On what was a very special six-game grand final spectacular, Berkeley Vale arguably took out the moment of the day with a history-making achievement.

Alex Pichaloff

3 min read

August 22, 2023 - 3:53PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Berkeley Vale players celebrate after beating The Entrance 18-4 to claim the inaugural Central Coast women’s tackle premiership. Picture: Sue Graham

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Berkeley Vale has etched its name into local league history after the club won the inaugural Central Coast Rugby League women’s tackle grand final at Woy Woy Oval on Sunday.

The Panthers capped off a wonderful season by beating The Entrance 18-4 in the decider to finish the season as minor and major premiers.

“It’s so surreal, it’s the best feeling ever. The girls worked really hard and I’m proud of everyone,” said Berkeley Vale skipper Madeline Watson, who was also named player of the match for her excellent performance in the grand final.

Given that the club has been the driving force behind women’s tackle league on the Coast, entering teams in Sydney- and Newcastle-based competitions for several years, it seemed fitting that the Panthers were the first to lift the trophy in local Central Coast competition.

“I actually had the shakes a little,” said Watson. “It’s such a good moment for the Berkeley Vale women’s side winning the first comp here on the Coast and I think we’ve done the club really proud.”

Berkeley Vale won the inaugural women’s tackle grand final over The Entrance. Picture: Sue Graham

As expected, the minor premiers started strongly, with Watson opening the scoring five minutes in after slicing through the Tigers’ defence from 25m out and showing enough speed and strength to get over the line.

Brittany Starr then added the extras to give the side a 6-0 lead.

The Panthers were far too strong in the grand final. Picture: Sue Graham

The first half was quite an arm-wrestle as both sides sought to win the battle for territory. The Panthers looked like they were going to take a six-point lead into the break before the Tigers struck with what proved to be the last play of the half.

Attacking Berkeley Vale’s line, The Entrance grubbered the ball into the in-goal. The Panthers fumbled the ball and then failed to pick up the scraps, with the chasing Tigers players toeing the ball forward for centre Ashlee Russell to dive on the scraps and give her team a boost on the stroke of halftime.

Lailani Montgomery provided the Tigers with a spark. Picture: Sue Graham

The incident seemed to spark some emotion, with both teams involved in some push and shove as Berkeley Vale took a 6-4 lead into the break.

If conceding a try just before halftime had the potential to rattle the Panthers, they certainly didn’t show it, with the minor premiers dominating much of the field position in the early stages of the half.

Panthers captain Madeline Watson was named player of the match. Picture: Sue Graham

The pressure eventually paid off with 15 minutes to go when a spread to the right put winger Lucy Papalii over in the corner. A fantastic kick from the sideline from Brittany Starr made it 12-4 and put the Panthers well and truly in the box seat.

While young Tigers halfback Lailani Montgomery was a threat with a couple of strong runs, The Entrance made too mistakes coming out from their own end and struggled to get full sets in the opposition half.

Berkeley Vale players celebrate after the full-time whistle. Picture: Sue Graham

The assignment became more difficult with seven to go after Starr slotted a penalty goal to stretch the lead out to 10, while Lucy Metcalfe put the icing on the cake with a brilliant run to score with 30 seconds remaining to kick off celebrations early.

After scoring the opener and leading her team around the park well all game, Watson was awarded the inaugural player of the match award.

“That was really lucky with that first try,” the captain said after full-time. “I think that just got us going and the girls took off after that. But I’m just really proud of the way the girls have played, not only today but throughout the whole season.”