Central North Rugby: Gunnedah triumph 20-7 in women's elimination final

The first-ever women’s 7s final, the Red Devils bedevilled the Blue Boars 20-7 to be a win away from a grand final appearance they couldn’t have dreamed of at the start of the season.

“After our first game at the beginning of the year this is not a position we thought we’d be in,” captain Sarah Stewart said.

“But we’ve worked hard to get here and it’s good that we’re getting the rewards for that hard work.”

The Blue Boars struck first, April Smith scoring inside the first couple of minutes.

But the Red Devils hit back with a vengeance scoring four unanswered tries.

“I think everyone was a bit nervous,” Stewart said.

“We made a few mistakes in the first couple of minutes but after that we settled down and played our own game.”

Fullback Bec Smyth got them on the board with a brilliant individual effort.

After sweeping up a kick through from the Blue Boars about 40m out from the Red Devils line, the former gymnast weaved her way around three defenders.

Kirsty McArthur then shrugged off the attention of multiple Blue Boars defenders to put the Red Devils ahead in the final seconds of the first half after a steal at the breakdown from Issy Hunt.

Not that the Red Devils players were aware they were up at half-time.

“We don’t look at the scoreboard during the game,” Stewart said.

The message at the break was simple.

“We just said, ‘we’ve worked hard and turned this around and we’re playing better as a team let’s just keep it up. We’re kicking off and then let’s get that ball back’,” she said.

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Fiona Laurie gassed the Blue Boars defence outwide to extend their lead not long into the second half.

Lana Bottrell then sealed it for them after another turnover at the breakdown.

The pressure they applied at the breakdown was one of the features of the Red Devils’ performance.

“Across the park Narrabri are a quicker side, and probably had better ball skills,” Stewart said.

“Our goal was just to get hold of the ball and keep it.”

“We had a lot more fight in us when we didn’t have the ball. We lifted and tried to get the ball back in our possession.”

The victory was also a credit to their team-work.

“The biggest thing for our team is the support we have for each other. Anyone makes a break we’re there to back it up,” Stewart said.

“We’ve just built this really great team. And when you’ve got a great team that’s got great support that’s where our wins have come from.”

She spoke of her pride at the way they are so positive with each other.

If someone makes a mistake they don’t dwell on it, they think what can we do next?.

Stewart also highlighted the courage that Sophie Donovan displayed.

After breaking her leg in what Stewart labelled one of the biggest tackles of the season, Donovan was able to turn around and place the ball back for the Red Devils to retain possession.

“We scored off that,” she noted.

Hunt was awarded the three points, with Nichole Carlyon picking up the two and Stewart the one.