The Warriettes were not able to combat the speed of the CSU Yellow Mungals, who claimed their third straight New Era Cup title at Wallerawang on Saturday, September 2.
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The Mungals continued their form from the New Era Cup major semi-final, taking out the grand final convincingly, 16-6.
The Warriettes had home ground advantage and a vocal crowd in support but the CSU team, which had its own large contingent at the ground, was dominant from the opening whistle.
An early try to CSU put the team on the front foot and the Warriettes were forced to defend hard for a majority of the game.
Chances came for the Wallerawang team, but some excellent last second tagging from the Mungals prevented the tries from being counted.
Wallerawang prevented any more points being scored in the first half, with the teams going into the sheds 6-0 in favour of CSU.
Fired up, CSU was quick out of the blocks in the second, laying on another two tries, one to Diana Giardino and one to Amy Dewar. One successful conversion took the score to 16-0.
The Warriettes’ only try of the match came in the closing minutes, with Ash Oldfield scoring and Meg Embelton successfully slotting it through the uprights to finish 16-6.
There was plenty of celebration for the Mungals, who have now built an impressive record of three straight New Era Cup victories.
Diana Giardino was recognised for her contribution, named player of the grand final.
Wallerawang Warriettes captain Jo Cornwell said, while the season did not finish the way they would have hoped, she was very happy with the 2017 season and the team that they had built, which included experience and some newcomers.
“We didn't attack as hard today as we could have, as we should have,” she said.
“We defended well and the result was much better than two weeks ago, when we lost 38 nil.
Cornwell singled out Meg Embelton and Ash Oldfield for their contributions as well as Emma McGuinness.
“Without Emma’s charge-down we couldn’t have scored our try,” she said.
“She put her body on the line.”
The Warriettes hope to continue to build into 2018, maintaining the team, building its experience, and aiming to go one better.
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
