It was a big weekend for the Redbacks with the team having to play two games in two days to catch up on a scheduled midweek game which was supposed to be played last Wednesday night at home.
Being that we haven't got the facilities for night games we arranged to play on Saturday. It had been three weeks since we have played a game so I expected the girls to be a bit rusty.
Anyway, we had to play Bathurst CSU in the first game.
CSU are a team who at full strength can match it with any team in this competition, but really find it hard to get all their players on the park in the one day.
Saturday was no exception with CSU not being able to field a full strength side and lucky for us that they weren't.
When I said we would be a bit rusty that was a bit of an understatement.
The game started evenly and it wasn't long before the Redbacks were on the board with Taryn kicking our first goal and everything seemed to be going to plan.
CSU had other ideas and it wasn't much longer before they were able to even up the score.
With the Redbacks outnumbering CSU you would have though that we would be dominating with the ball but it was just the opposite with CSU controlling the game.
As the game went on the Redbacks eventually got their nose in front again with a good goal from Kylie to make the score Redbacks two, CSU one.
Thinking that this would spur us on CSU again matched us be equaling the score and playing the better soccer.
Just on half time Taryn again found space and put the Redbacks in front to make the half time score Redbacks three, CSU two.
A quick scrub with the wire brush at half time to try and get rid of the rush and we were ready to get back into it.
The second half was a scrappy game with the Redbacks only doing as much as they had to and CSU tiring as the game went on.
Taryn scored another two goals for us and Adelaide scored her first goal of the year to make the fulltime score Redbacks six, CSU two.
This game in the ends was what we really needed to get back into rhythm and play like I know that they can.
Sunday's game was against Orange Waratahs who we played back in round one only to be convincingly beaten seven goals to four.
We know that we are better than that and for the first time this year we were all but at full strength with only one player unavailable through injury.
Running uphill and into a breeze we absorbed some very intense early pressure. Once we had control of the ball it wasn't long before Taryn put herself into position and scored our first goal – Redbacks one, Waratahs nil.
The Redbacks were playing well and it was only an unlucky fumble by the keeper that led to the Waratahs first goal.
Redbacks one, Waratahs one.
The Redbacks kept their mind on the job and it was great to see Renae score her first goal of the year to make the score Redbacks two, Waratahs one.
Again Waratahs lifted their game and from a corner kick straight into the middle of the box a Waratah attacker was able to get a knee to the ball which ballooned into the top of the net.
Redbacks two, Waratahs two.
At halftime the Redbacks knew they were playing well and knew it was only a matter of time before they got on top of the Waratahs.
About ten minutes onto the second half Taryn again scored some terrific individual play to make the score Redbacks three, Waratahs two.
As they had done all day Waratahs hit straight back to tie the score up at three all.
After that the Redbacks seemed to have the better of the positional play but were unable to convert.
The final scored ended up at three all which was a good result for us considering the lead up to the game.
The Redbacks have a very good side when they play like I know they can. At full strength I know we can match it with any side.
On a very disappointing note we sustained injuries over the weekend with Sam aggravating a knee injury on Saturday and out for an extended period.
On a worse note our leading best and fairest player Renae sustained another ankle ligament injury that will put her out for the rest of the season.
A real coach killer as Renae controls the whole game and would be an instant starter for any team in the competition.
We all wish Renae the best and I hope that she can still play a role in the game by helping the P Plate Coach in the running of the game.
Next week we travel to Bathurst to play top of the competition side Bathurst Colts. The Colts have been untroubled in the competition with only the Redbacks stretching them in the first round.
We go into this game without two of our main players with Renae out for the season and Taryn unavailable to play.
This will be a huge role to fill and the Redbacks will have to step up a couple of gears to get on top of the Colts.
The raffle this week was won by Cudal man Bob Cohen.
Talk to you next week
P Plate Coach - The Banished Strapper.
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