The injury-hit women’s open’s Beerwah Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday, losing 52-10 against the Kawana Dolphins.
Despite the loss, Captain Amy Bock said she was pleased the team kept a positive attitude and looked after each other throughout the game.
Home team Kawana scored the first try despite having too many players on the field after a numbers confirmation error between the two teams.
The try was allowed but failed to be converted.
Just minutes later, Beerwah levelled when half back Tash Thorley barrelled through Kawana’s defence to score their first and only try of the half.
Beerwah centre Emma White missed the conversion.
Emma Horton also suffered a shoulder injury early on in the first half, and it is uncertain if she will return for the rest of the season.
Down 16-4 at half-time Beerwah was still in with a chance but the break provided no favours.
In the second half, the Dolphins scored six consecutive tries, nearly all off kickoffs from the Beerwah Bulldogs.
Beerwah’s spirits remained high despite the widening margin.
This was personified in a great defensive effort from lock Courtney Lockwood, who ran crossfield in an attempt to stop one try.
They also clawed back some pride scoring the last try of the game.
Bulldogs hooker Jordan Jackson crashed over in the last few minutes of the game, with the try successfully converted by White.
Beerwah Bulldogs coach Rod Kerr and captain Amy Bock, were both happy with the team’s effort despite the loss saying several players were missing due to injury and sickness.
“Possession is pretty important so if we had a bit more ball, even though we were short of numbers, we would have made a real impression on them,” Rod said.
Amy said she was pleased the team stayed positive despite the frustrating scoreline.
“We talked a bit about just having fun, you know when it’s tight on numbers it’s not going to be easy, so we said we’d just have a laugh and back each other,” she said.
“It was good, no one was into each other, we were all just having a go and looking after each other.”
The Bulldogs now have a 4-1 win-loss record this season.
Their next game is at the Beerwah Sportsground against the Gympie Devils on Sunday the 15th of May at 11:00am.
