A strong second half performance has been the catalyst for a Brumbies Women win, defeating the Rebels Women 37-8 on a warm and sunny Good Friday afternoon.
The first half saw both sides take a while to settle as possession changed hands and both sides worked from end to end getting inside each 22.
The Brumbies however made the most of their opportunities in attack with Darcy Read getting them on the scoreboard with the first try nine minutes into the game.
Five minutes later Samantha Wood capitalised on a penalty and put the ball through the sticks to take the Brumbies eight points up.
It took until the 20th minute for the Rebels to hit back with a penalty goal of their own off the boot of Georgia Cormick. With no conversion the score stayed at 8-3 in favour of the away team.
The contest continued to see-saw as both teams played hard at the breakdown and in the 27th minute the Brumbies got the most out of their attack as Remi Wilton spotted a gap in the Rebels defence scoring the Brumbies second try.
With a successful conversion by Samantha Wood the lead blew out to 12 points, 15-3.
The tussle continued and with just three minutes left in the first half the home team finally found the line when Ashley Marsters exploited some space out wide.
At the half-time break the Brumbies held a seven point lead, 15-8 and the game looked to be ready for another tight half to come.
The Brumbies however had a different idea on their return to the field and stepped up their game-plan getting the best of the possession in the second half.
Wallaroos veteran and Canberra rugby legend Louise Burrows scored the Brumbies’ first of the half as she pushed over the line riding the momentum at the back of a strong rolling maul.
The Brumbies emptied their bench and benefitted from the fresh legs adding three more tries after the 60 minute mark with Stanford, Wilson and Milward adding to their stats.
The Rebels fought hard to the end pushing into their opposition 22 on more than one occasion but the Brumbies had the momentum and capitalised on a couple of Rebels injuries removing two key players from the action at a critical time in the game.
RESULT
Brumbies Women 37
Tries: Read, Wilton, Burrows, Stanford, Wilson, Milward
Cons: Wood, O’Neill
Pens: Wood
Rebels Women 8
Tries: Marsters
Cons:
Pens: Cormick
