Queensland Women have defeated Melbourne Rebels Women 60-0 with a clinical performance in the Buildcorp Super W Series as round three concluded in Brisbane on Sunday.
It was very much a power game in which Queensland dominated at the famous Ballymore Stadium, particularly at scrum time, with their bigger forwards evident from the outset.
Although Sarah Riordan put Queensland on the board within the first two minutes, the second try did not come until 15 minutes later through Sammy Treherne.
A prolonged passage of play just 10 minutes in saw the Rebels with consistent possession but again they could not capitalise against the powerful Queensland defence.
A third try for the Reds came through Lori Cramer, utilising the width of the field and leaving the Rebels defence wanting as the lead extended to 17-0 to close out the first 20 minutes of the game.
Power in the breakdown and scrum, as well as fast use of the ball, was the difference between the two teams – a fact that was underlined as Riordan grabbed her second try with a run up the wing from some good cross field passing.
With Lavinia Gould’s conversion the score moved out to 24-0.
When light rain started to fall 10 minutes before the break, the humidity and moisture added another aspect to the quality of play.
There was a rare patch of forward movement by the Rebels late in the half but it was quickly shut down.
The visitors ended the first half having had no time in the Queensland 22 which was indicative of the balance of the contest.
As the second half began the Rebels jumped out of the blocks and really looked for attacking opportunities.
But the wind was taken out of their sails when Riordan found her way to the line in the 46th minute for her third of the game, taking the margin to 34 points following Gould’s conversion.
A yellow card to Tessa Brown a few minutes later was not what the visitors needed at a time which required all hands on deck to make an impression on the Queensland line.
As a consequence, Queensland scored their next two tries in quick succession through Cheyenne Campbell and teenager Lefau-Fakaosilea, to push the margin out to 46 points.
As the game continued it became obvious that Queensland were relying on the power of its scrum and using it effectively as part of the overall game plan.
When prop Vuanumasei Rasolea came off the bench late in the game it wasn’t long before her impact was felt.
She drove to the line having taken the ball from a standing start and carried four opponents with her in a display of sheer power which moved the score to 58-0 with a kick to come.
The Rebels made it into the opposition 22 for the first time in the 79th minute and that really told the story of the match.
On the positive side, Ash Marsters and Cormick were the strong performers for the Rebels and to their credit, the women in blue did not stop trying all day.
RESULT
Queensland Women 60
Tries: Riordan 3, Cramer, Treherne, Campbell, Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaleta, Rasolea
Cons: Gould 6
Pens: Gould 1
Melbourne Rebels Women 0
Tries: 0
Cons: 0
Pens: 0
