Tweed Seagulls defeat four-time SEQ women’s division one defending champs Burleigh Bears
That Tweed needed a second shot at getting their victory song right says it all about their spectacular David and Goliath upset at Pizzey Park.
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THAT Tweed needed a second shot at getting their victory song right says it all about their spectacular David and Goliath upset at Pizzey Park.
Playing at the home of four-time SEQ women’s division one defending premiers Burleigh, the visitors were given next to no chance.
The all-conquering Bears entered unbeaten through three starts; the Seagulls women meanwhile had one win in their history and were coming off a 40-point loss.
But the match did not follow the script come Sunday afternoon. Tweed burst out of the blocks, leading 16-4 at one stage before Burleigh showed the fight of a champion team to go up 18-16.
Both sides were resilient in defence and it looked as if the home side might just hang on until former Bears forward Shelley Fox barged over for the decisive try to seal a 22-18 Tweed win.
“It was sweet but there is no ‘I’ in team,” Fox said.
“I just fell over the line. Every single one of us got us to that point.
“From the first set in defence, we knew the girls had it in them. We knew Burleigh is patient and they know how to come back so for us it was a defensive thing and then attack will come.”
Seagulls skipper Josina Singapu, another ex-Bear, praised the good spirit in which the game was played and said the result would drive confidence around her group.
“It’s just really overwhelming at the moment,” the lock forward smiled.
“I’m sure all of the girls are looking forward to next week’s training and more games.
“They are loving the winning feeling so hopefully we will carry that on but first and foremost we just want to create a team culture. The scoreboard is not even in the books for us as goals but this is definitely a bonus.”
Burleigh coach Tahnee Norris said the right team won on the day.
“We didn’t deserve it. Credit to Tweed, they played out of their skin and just played some really good lines out the back,” she said.
Norris noted the Seagulls duo of halfback Tarryn Aiken and second-rower Jessika Elliston proved particularly difficult to handle. The latter cashed in with two tries.
“Hats off. They did their homework out there and it paid off for them,” said Norris, who identified Jasmin Kemp, Laken Paitai and Millie Boyle as among her side’s best.
Burleigh star forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi came from the field with a head knock but appeared to be OK after the game.
Despite the loss the Bears are still well placed in second on the ladder ahead of a Round 5 grand final rematch against Wests Brisbane.
Tallisha Harden and Zahara Temara are among those still sidelined with injuries but Norris vowed she would not rush them back ahead of schedule, instead challenging her current mix to keep striving for improvement.