Central Coast Rugby League women’s tackle: action, results, photos from round one

There was some exciting footy, big crowds and plenty of emotions on show as the Central Coast Rugby League’s first-ever round of women’s tackle league kicked off.

History was made over the weekend as the first round of the inaugural women’s tackle league competition kicked off on the Central Coast.

Three games were played across the weekend, with Budgewoi hosting Berkeley Vale on Saturday, while Erina took on Terrigal and Woy Woy faced off with The Entrance on Sunday.

The Panthers took the honour of winning the first ever women’s tackle league game by defeating Budgewoi 60-0, while Terrigal came from behind to defeat Erina 32-18 and Woy Woy edged out The Entrance 22-16 at Woy Woy Oval.

And while competition points were well and truly on offer, Terrigal Sharks fullback Elysia Atkins said winning certainly wasn’t the only thing on her mind ahead of the game.

“In our little huddle before we went out our coach said, ‘Girls, no matter what happens when you go out there, you are making history today. We can look back in 20 years’ time and remember when we played this first game, and all of you are a part of that moment, so no matter what happens, enjoy it, because you’re making history.’ It was a really cool, Goosebumps moment.”

The Terrigal-Wamberal Sharks' team was given a guard of honour as they made their way out on the field. Photo: Jodie Ward.

Indeed, in recognising the occasion, the Sharks’ team was given a guard of honour as they made their way onto the field.

“The atmosphere was, I don’t like using the word ‘electric’, but it kind of was,” said Atkins. “When we ran out we had a massive tunnel, so people from the crowd and the boys from seconds and firsts were there for us.”

Terrigal took on Erina in the first round. Photo: Jodie Ward.

And given that many were playing their first game of tackle league, there was plenty of support from the crowd.

“Throughout the whole game there was yelling, clapping and cheering. No matter who made a break, both teams were being celebrated,” said Atkins.

“At one stage I missed a tackle and someone on the sideline from Erina said, ‘You’re all good, darl, up you get. Play on.’ It was just a nice supportive environment for the whole game.”

The Woy Woy Roosters took on The Entrance Tigers in round one. Photo: Nick Friend

There were similar scenes down at Woy Woy Oval for the clash between the Roosters and The Entrance Tigers.

“The weekend was a day that myself and others will remember for a long time. It’s very hard to put into words what it was like,” said Woy Woy forward Ash Pauletto.

“It was amazing to see all the supporters from both clubs, Woy Woy Roosters and The Entrance Tigers, come together to support the first game of women’s tackle on the Central Coast. The atmosphere from all the supporters was great, we absolutely loved it.”

‘I couldn’t sit still’

And while there was plenty of excitement during and elation after the games, there was a range of different emotions leading into the occasion.

“The lead up to and just before the game, the team and I all had mixed emotions,” said Pauletto.

“There was so much excitement to get out on the field, but there were also nerves. Some players had never played before, for others it had been a few years since they played and for the rest it was just second nature to them.

There were plenty of big hits across the weekend. Photo: Nick Friend

“We all came together and worked through our emotions as a team. By the time kick off came, we were all fired up and ready to go.”

It was similar situation for Atkins and her Sharks teammates.

“I was really nervous. Even the night before and the morning of, we all had proper nerves. But we were also really excited. I had all this nervous energy – I couldn’t sit still – and other girls were in the zone, but we were all excited on our own level … We were all just so ready to put our mouthguards in and run out.”

The action

As a club that has for several years had women’s tackle teams playing in the Newcastle competition, Berkeley Vale showed its class and experience in its clash with Budgewoi.

Brooke Rowsthorne and Lucy Metcalfe both scored doubles as the team ran in 11 tries to kick off their season in style, winning 60-0.

At Erina Oval, the Eagles got off to a flying start against Terrigal and led 12-0 early in the match.

“We just couldn’t hold them down, because they had girls running at us hard and pushing us over,” said Atkins.

The Sharks overcame an early deficit to defeat Erina. Photo: Jodie Ward.

However a momentum-shifting one-on-one strip helped turn the game on its head, with Terrigal scoring a series of unanswered tries, including a double to dummy half Montana McLean and a hat-trick to halfback Jaida Staben, to run out 32-18 winners.

Terrigal claimed a 14-point victory. Photo: Jodie Ward.

“That moment (one-on-one strip) changed the game and as soon as we had the ball it was just a different story,” said Atkins.

“We looked good when we had the ball, we shifted it really well and played some good eyes-up footy.”

The inaugural season kicked off in style. Photo: Jodie Ward.

Meanwhile at Woy Woy Oval, the home side made sure it joined the winners’ list with a tight 22-16 win over The Entrance.

“Honestly what impressed me the most about our team’s performance was the hard hit-ups and the hard tackles that were made,” said Pauletto.

Woy Woy secured a last-gasp win against The Entrance Tigers. Photo: Nick Friend

A former Central Coast Roosters player in the NSW Women’s Premiership who took time away from the game due to injury, Pauletto played her first game of tackle league in four years.

“Although not everyone had played tackle league before, no one ever gave up and we just kept showing up for each other. Everyone stayed so positive on the field even when we were trailing during the second half. I couldn’t be any happier and prouder with the team’s first performance together.”

She added: “We were all so happy and stoked to be out on the field, and to come away with the win from our first game, not only together but for the first season of women’s tackle on the Central Coast, was incredible.

“There was so much joy and happiness from us all, and it was a wonderful feeling to be able to sing our club song loud and proud at home after the win.”

And with the first round a verified success, Atkins summed up the sentiment of the many of the players perfectly.

“It was such a great day, you honestly couldn’t have wiped the smile from my face,” she said.

“Bring on round two!”