Gold Stars too strong for Valkyries

From the first siren, the Valkyries were a powerhouse and their efforts were rewarded with Lylian Mikaio scoring the first try of the match six minutes into play. 

This kicked the Townsville-based side into gear and they responded with three tries from Lauren Moss and Shaniah Power in the first half, two of which were converted.  

Just as the away team threatened to run away with the win, Valkyries captain Michaela Peck added her name to the scoreboard, keeping her team in the race moments before the half time siren. 

“They fight every week, you can’t fault their tenacity and their will to have a go,” Valkyries coach Wayne Treleavan said after the match. 

“It comes down to their execution and that comes from not training as a team enough.” 

The second half was primarily in favour of the North Queensland team as Romy Teizel scored four tries for her side, but the Valkyries held on by a thread as April Ngatupuna closed the gap between the two sides and scored in the 66th minute of play. 

Peck was proud of how her team played together and attested their improving team cohesion to a solid turnout at training in the lead up to the match. 

“We really held our own against a really strong team that hasn’t been beaten for the past four [games] and we made them work for it,” Peck said.  

“To see them at training was awesome and it allowed us to reflect that on the field.” 

In the next round of competition, the Valkyries look to improve on their rhythm and execution as they come up against the West Brisbane Panthers in another home game. 

The Gold Stars will be coming back down the coast to Pizzey Park as they are set to play this season’s best Burleigh Bears.