The Illawarra Steelers were defeated 8-4 by defending premiers Mounties in challenging conditions at Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday in the opening round of the 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
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The Steelers went into halftime trailing 4-0, before Mounties extended to 8-0 shortly after the resumption of play. A Jordyn Preston try in the 69th minute reduced the final margin to four. Coach Jamie Szczerbanik praised his team’s resilience in tough playing conditions favouring the larger Mounties outfit.
“Our biggest weapon is our speed, and the conditions didn’t really allow us to wind up, and we had to roll the sleeves up and muscle up for long periods of time,” Szczerbanik said post-match.
“For round one, it was a high-quality game. It was one of those games where we always felt like we were in control of it.
“We just came up with errors at crucial times throughout the second half, which eventually cost us.”
The Steelers are at home this Sunday, July 14, to take on the Wests Tigers, beaten 24-18 by the Sharks in Round 1.
The Tigers outfit includes Harmony Crichton and Natasha Penitani, the sisters of Westpac NSW Blues centre Stephen Crichton and Westpac NSW Sky Blues winger Tiana Penitani.
Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup premiership-winning five-eighth Evie McGrath will also line up for the Tigers against her junior club for the first time. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Collegians Sports Complex.
Pictured (Inset): Round 1 Harrigan Motor Group Player’s Player Prop Mackenzie Lear
Main Picture (File image): Lily Rogan on the attack in Round 1, 2023.