Roos and Panthers tackle a new challenge as Group 4 hosts women’s gala day

By Blake Jarrett (The Courier) and Geoff Newling (Group 4 Media)

Group 4 Rugby League hosted the first of two women’s tackle gala days at Tamworth’s Scully Park on Saturday, and the quality on show was nothing short of impressive.

There were seven teams that took part as Boggabri, Wee Waa, Moree, Dungowan, North Tamworth, Werris Creek and a combined Gunnedah/Kootingal side were all in action.

Wee Waa and Boggabri were both able adapt to the new style of play quite quickly, and both clubs were boosted by players from Narrabri to help make up their numbers, which included Blue Boars rugby 10s players.

The Panthers lost 12-4 against the Gunnedah/Kootingal outfit in their first match but bounced back to win 16-12 against Werris Creek and 12-8 against North Tamworth.

The Kangaroos experienced every result as they beat Werris Creek 12-8, drew 12-all against North Tamworth and lost 16-8 against Dungowan.

Moree were the only undefeated side on the day after they downed the combined team 24-12, Norths 12-0 and Dungowan 12-0.

Group 4 chairman Clarence ‘Lad’ Jones told Group 4 Media that he was delighted with Saturday’s gala day and believes it will be the forerunner to a new ladies’ tackle competition.

“We have 136 girls registered for this gala day,” Jones said on Saturday.

“There’s been some good football played already and it seems everyone (clubs and players) are buying into it.

“We have a promising future, but that’s to be talked about. At the moment we just want everyone to enjoy it.

“We’ve got to give a lot of credit to Cody as well,” Jones said of NSW Northern Region league and club co-ordinator Cody Tickle.

Boggabri Kangaroos were coached by Bailey and Courtney Lennox on the day, and Bailey told The Courier that he was impressed with the way his side stepped up to take on the new challenge, especially in defence.

“It was a good day and I think the tackle made the competition a whole lot more even,” Lennox said.

“Werris Creek flogged us in the league tag but we come out in the tackle comp and stuck it to them and come away with the win.

“They might have lost a few players because of the contact sport, but I just think the tackle comp makes it a whole lot more even.

“We only had two training sessions leading up to it. We were meant to have more but we were struggling for numbers for a couple of them, so we pulled the pin.

“We weren’t ready leading up to it at all, but the girls had a heap of fun and it was good.

“I wasn’t too worried about the ball work. We just mainly wanted to teach them how to defend and get their head in the right spot when tackling to avoid injuries.

“I think their defence on the day was unreal. It was the best part of their game, for sure.”

The Wee Waa Panthers were co-coached by David Cruickshank and Kenny Anderson, and Cruickshank told The Courier that they gelled well together and impressed in defence.

“We trained for about four weeks and did two sessions a week,” he said.

“We did a fair bit of work on tackling because a lot of the girls hadn’t played tackle before. A lot of them are young and had only ever played league tag.

“I think they went very well. They got better as they progressed. Each game they really improved.

“They scrambled really well in defence. Like I said, a lot of the girls hadn’t played tackle before, but they picked it up really quick and they all defended good.

“We have a few girls there who have played tackle before and play rugby union as well. They were good and the other girls really fed off them.”

The second tackle gala day will be held at Boggabri’s Jubilee Oval on Saturday, November 2.

Boggabri and Wee Waa will both get a chance to play against the sides they avoided on Saturday, and that includes a Narrabri Shire derby when they line up against each other.