The Crossing October 14 2020

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TEENAGE GIRL’S RUGBY 7’S FAST BECOMING THE SPORT
OF CHOICE IN CHINCHILLA AND SURROUNDING AREAS
ZOE BELL
zoe@thechinwag.com.au
The Chinchilla River Rats Rugby
7's team's season officially came
to an end on October 3, and it
was quite a remarkable year with
both teenage girl teams going as
far as they could – all the way to
the grand final.
The successful year all started with a strong
recruitment during the offseason with the
club netting several new girls wanting to
have a go at something new.
Due to these new members coming aboard it
meant they were fortunate to be able to enter
an under 15 and 17 teams into the Darling
Downs competition.
With the pre-season well underway before
COVID hit, there was doubt as to whether
the 2020 campaign would preceed but
after several weeks/months and under strict
guidelines training resumed.
When the season competition started, coach
of the under 17s team, Lindsay Ashby said,
Chinchilla never looked back.
"The new girls which included Breeana
Hoskin from Dalby, Christina Jones, Chloe
Pallisier, Lilly Taylor, Kataya Jackson, Sophie
Bender and Erin Chandler from Millmerrin,
Katie Bunker from Taroom and Holly Schoff,
Jordan Fox, Melanie Hurley, Lucia Sperling
and Teagan Scott, all embraced the River
Rats culture and with each girl growing with
confidence at each carnival," he said.
"It was clear that Chinchilla had unearthed
some raw talent.
"A special mention to Katie Bunker and Mel
Hurley who unfortunately suffered seasonending
knee injuries in their first games of
the season."
The under 15 team had a remarkable season
given this team was rebuilt with mainly new
girls which galvanized this team especially
when most weeks they only played with one
reserve.
Coached by Rick Stone from Dalby, Ashby
said he did a fantastic job each week with the
new-look team, especially when most of the
team had to be coached from scratch.
"These girls were quickly becoming the crowd
favourites each week with Sophie Bender
and Jordan Fox scoring long-range tries with
blistering speed down the sidelines," Ashby
said.
"Lilly Taylor was another who improved as
the season progressed, as did Breeana Hoskin
who had an outstanding season.
"Captain Kate Ellem always led from the front
and was always encouraging her team to
work hard and have fun."
Despite losing the grand final, Ashby said the
team would only be more robust in 2021, and
they lost to a very experienced Toowoomba
Bears side.
"To make the Grand Final with most of these
new girls was an incredible achievement and
who knows what happens in 2021," he said.
The under 17's girl's side also had quite the
season with a few new girls on the team.
Ashby, who was coaching the team, explained
that the club did have struggles especially
when it came to getting reserves, but they
always stepped up once on the field.
"Captains Cobi Zerbst and Chloe Ellem always
lead from the front," he said.
"Christina Jones was outstanding in her first
year playing 7's and will not surprise if she
plays at a higher level.
"Cobi Zerbst also had a season to be proud of,
and she stepped up in the defensive line by
making repeat tackle sets.
"Although struggling for opposition some
weeks, The River Rats girls kept a positive
attitude and just played the cards dealt.
"Sumah Ringlestein was another who stepped
up, and was instrumental in the 2020 results."
As the season unfolded and with the under
17 team Ashby noticed that the group was
starting to click, and their confidence went
another level and before they knew it, we
were playing in the Grand Final.
Although beaten 17-12, the team has no
doubt who the crowd were barracking for
which was appreciated.
"It was a great season by all involved and a
special mention to the parents who travelled
every Sunday morning to Warwick or
Toowoomba," Ashby said.
"We also have to thank our sponsors MPC
Contracting, Power Pumping, Chinchilla
McDonalds, Edan Zerbst Builders and D&K
Diesel Services because without their support
the season wouldn't be possible.
The next for the girls is to see if they make
the Darling Downs representative teams to
contest Noosa International 7's.
They were due to be announced but
unfortunately could not be published in time.
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THE CHIN WAG - WEDNESDAY October 14, 2020 - Page 9