Central Coast Rugby Union (CCRU) Women’s Representative Team sent a strong message to NSW Country at the recent 2019 UNE Women’s 7s Country Championships – Central Coast is a stronghold for Women’s 7s.
On 23rd and 24th March, CCRU Women’s Reps battled it out against six other NSW Country Rugby zones from across the state for the chance to be named 2019 Country Rugby 7s Champions.
In a testament to the strength of the season-long CCRU Women’s Rugby 7s competition, coming into its second year, CCRU Women went undefeated across their pool and semi-final games to make it to the Grand Final against the defending champions, Newcastle Hunter. Trailing at half-time in the Final 12-7, CCRU launched an impressive comeback to level the scores in the second half but were eventually pipped at the post to go down 24-12.
While the Grand Final result didn’t go the way of CCRU, it demonstrated to both spectators and the CCRU players that they are building some strong foundations for Women’s Rugby on the Coast. The team went through their pool games undefeated in match ups against Mid North Coast, Central North and Western Plains. A dominant defensive effort across the board meant CCRU only conceded 17 points across their three pool games, setting them up for a strong finals campaign.
Led from the front by Captain Renee Staben, the team’s ball carriers consistently took the team forward in attack, making powerful runs up the middle and hitting hard running lines. Forwards Hannah Stewart and Meg Carraro worked hard to gain their team precious metres and draw in opposition defenders. This meant the team’s speedsters, led by Elise Connolly, Shenay Ball and Taylah Welsh, could break their way down the wings to cross for the ever-valuable 5 pointers.
Of particular note, CCRU Women’s Representative and Terrigal Rugby Union Women’s Player Shenay Ball made an impression on tournament organisers with her aggressive attack and sharp defence. Ball was one of 7 players across the competition’s participants named in the 2019 Country Rugby Dream Team. With UNE 7s selectors watching on the day, it is unlikely that this is the last you will hear about Ball in 2019.
Captain Staben noted the power such competitions have on the development of Women’s Rugby. “I’m so proud of the players and the way we all worked so strongly together; but it isn’t just the playing experience that is so valuable, it is the chance to come together from all different clubs and get to know each other outside of the weekly games. It is going to make the 2019 rugby season so much more exciting.”
The CCRU Women’s Representative team now turn their focus to the NSW Country Rugby Women’s XVs Championships being held in Tamworth on the June long weekend.
The players will also return to their respective CCRU Club teams for the 2019 Rugby Season, commencing Saturday April 6th.
Alex Bellamy,
Team Manager
WEEKEND RESULTS :
POOL GAMES
WIN 27-7 over Mid North Coast
WIN 22-12 over Central North
WIN 24-0 over Western Plains
SEMI FINAL
WIN 14-10 over Central West
NSW COUNTRY CUP FINAL
LOSS 12-24 to Newcastle Hunter
TEAM:
Shenay Ball Terrigal
Meagan Carraro Kariong
Elise Connolly Terrigal
Sophie Dryden Terrigal
Holly Johnstone Woy Woy
Jocelyn Kelleher Terrigal
Prue Neely Terrigal
ReneeStaben Avoca Beach
Hannah Stewart Avoca Beach
Danielle Theron Warnervale
Taylah Welsh Avoca Beach
Coach Michael Burgess
Asst. Coach Sam White
Manager Alex Bellamy