WARATAHS produced a strong team effort to roll Services 4-1 in their Tamworth women’s first grade clash on Sunday.
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The evidence of that was on the scoreboard, not just in the result but the fact that they shared the goalscoring honours around, with skipper Katrina Rekunow, Pip Ash, Nicole Reid-Smith and Nadine Doolan all finding the back of the net.
“We played really well as a team, lots of passing and releading,” Rekunow said.
The passing was one of the biggest improvements on the previous weeks.
“We were linking up better and there was more passing,” she said.
They were still understrength, with Abigail Doolan and Sarah Askey away at the U18 Nationals.
They didn’t have Em Hegney either.
“We changed our positions around a bit,” Rekunow said.
“We brought Tayla (King) forward into the midfield.”
She worked really well with Tahlia Rekunow there.
They were two of their best. Reid-Smith was also good.
Rekunow said the goal they conceded was soft but generally they played well defensively.
“We played well at the back and did some good transfers,” she said.
It was another mixed performance from Services.
“I thought the first half we were probably outplayed but the second half we played a lot better,” coach Kim McLean said.
“I felt we really matched them in the second half.
“The intensity picked up and there was a bit more drive.”
Their passing game was also a lot better and they did a better job shutting down the Waratahs midfield.
“We got outplayed in the midfield in the first half,” McLean said.
They were running an extra midfielder and it took until probably the second half for Services to adapt to that.
McLean thought Michelle Aslin was their best.
Abby Griffiths up front, and Gabbi D’Ambros, also had good games.
With the York Cup and Kim Small Shield this weekend it was McLean’s last hit-out before she heads to Darwin to play for NSW Country at the Australian Country Championships.
They run from July 24-31.
“I’m looking forward to it,” McLean said.
“There are a few nerves. I’m not quite where I’d like to be.”
Understandable though given she’s only just back from having a baby.
It will be her 11th time representing NSW Country, and a bit unexpected.
“I was very surprised. Not being at the championships and my situation,” she said.
New England’s Sarah Parker will join her in what is a reasonably experienced side.They will be looking to regain their prominence after finishing with silver and bronze the last two years.
