Round 7 Sunday wrap: Clydesdales edge closer to finals berth
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The Western Clydesdales boosted their chances of playing finals in their inaugural BMD Premiership season, triumphing over Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the dying minutes of their Round 7 clash.
A barnstorming Jessikah Reeves barged towards the try line with just two minutes left on the clock to score under the posts and hand her side the crucial 24-20 victory.
With the BMD Premiership ladder so tight, the desire to get the two points on Sunday was evident from both teams, with the intensity high in the seesawing showdown at BMD Kougari Oval.
The Clydesdales got on the board first through fullback and co-captain Shenae Ciesiolka before Wynnum Manly hit back just five minutes later through winger Jo-Anne Visser.
Match: WM Seagulls v Clydesdales
Round 7 -
home Team
WM Seagulls
7th Position
away Team
Clydesdales
2nd Position
Venue: BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane
Charlotte Wells then crossed on the other wing to give the Seagulls an 8-6 lead at halftime.
The back and forth continued after the break, with Visser extending Wynnum Manly's lead before tries to Tara Reinke and Gerogia Sim - with a stunning effort - got the Clydesdales back in front by the 55th minute.
Wynnum Manly hooker Caitlin Tanner then crossed for her side to give them the edge, setting the stage for a nail-biting final nine minutes.
The intensity lifted throughout this period and Clydesdales co-captain Reinke said she was incredibly proud of how her team united, with all their efforts leading to Reeves' winning try.
"In those last 15 (minutes), we scored and we were up and then they scored and they were up, and we knew we just had to get back," she said.
"The girls really lifted and didn’t let their heads drop after that try... it really showed me they wanted to win and they wanted to be out here.
"We really spoke about (the importance of winning) in the sheds.
"We knew from here on out we have to get those two points with the ladder being so tight and we knew they’d want the exact same thing. It felt tense as."
The Clydesdales currently sit in second on the ladder on nine points ahead of Norths Devils and Burleigh Bears on eight points each.
Wynnum Manly's own finals hopes took a hit with the loss. While they are mathematically still a chance - in seventh place on six points - they will need several results to go their way over the final two weeks of competition.
Clydesdales coach Mitch Sargent said he was really proud of the effort he saw on Sunday and hopes that can continue over the coming weeks.
"It was massively important for our team and for our club," Sargent said of the win.
"The spirit in this team is so fantastic and they put it out there today so I’m happy for them.
"With seven minutes to go when (Wynnum Manly) were in front, I knew the team we had would stay patient and they wouldn’t go away.
"We just needed an opportunity. Jess Reeves was the person on the spot today… it was really pleasing for her.
"It’s so important, every game, no matter where you are on the ladder to get the two points now.
"Norths and (Meg) Wardy’s team will come out and want to get a win against us next week. I’m sure our girls will roll up, ready to play."
The Clydesdales will play host to the Devils on Saturday while the Seagulls will head to Tweed on Sunday for next week's broadcast clash.
For a wrap of Saturday's results, click here.
Catch all the replays of the BMD Premiership by subscribing to Qplus.tv.
