Mounties crowned NRL women’s champions for first time
THE Mounties are uncorking the bubblies after their magnificent women brought home the Harvey Norman NSW women’s rugby league title for the first time.
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THE Mounties are uncorking the bubblies after their magnificent women brought home the Harvey Norman NSW women’s rugby league title for the first time.
Australian and NSW star Simaima Taufa led from the front as the Mounties pulled off a 12-10 victory over the uncompromising South Sydney Rabbitohs in last Friday’s rousing grand final at ANZ Stadium.
“This was the first time we were competing in the first division and it’s an amazing feeling to win the title,” coach Paul Bent said.
“We had several injuries during the season but the young and older players really came together and the 14-12 semi-final win over the Rabbitohs gave us the confidence for the final.
“This year we have had a few new players in our 25-member squad but because of injuries we sometimes have a minimum of 17 for the matches.
“It was a great effort by everyone because we couldn’t have got where we are without all of them.”
Minor Premiers Rabbitohs scored first through a converted try by Taleena Simon.
Taufa — Fairfield’s 2018 Sports Achiever of the Year — helped Mounties draw level after powering through the defence.
Taufa is rated as one of the best players in the world and will now represent Sydney Roosters in the inaugural NRL Holden Women’s Premiership.
Janelle Williams added the extra points for a 6-6 scoreline.
However, the Rabbitohs regained the lead a short time later with an unconverted try from Sharon McGrady.
Just before halftime the Mounties made the most of a knock on reprieve with Patricia Raikadroka slipping through to touch down.
Williams missed the conversion leaving it 10-all at the interval.
Williams, however, sealed the title by converting a penalty 25 minutes into the second half.
The win wasn’t a fluke with the Mounties edging the Rabbitohs 14-12 to enter the grand final.
Paul Bent will be leaving to coach the West Tigers under 18 girls team for their competition before he returns to the Mounties by November for the pre-season training with the newly-crowned women’s champions.