A BEC Ford field goal in the second period of extra-time was the only thing separating Orange CYMS and Orange Hawks in a thrilling Group 10 league tag elimination semi-final in Oberon on Saturday.
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Literally the only thing, Ford’s field goal gave the green and golds a remarkable 1-0 victory.
“It was easily the best game of league tag I’ve been involved with, or even seen,” CYMS stalwart Mandy Moore enthused.
“It was just incredible. The defensive efforts from both sides were amazing. We’re happy to get away with the win and I know the Hawks girls were disappointed, but both sides should be very proud to have been a part of such an amazing game.”
Ford’s match-winning drop goal proved a case of second time lucky, she’d had a crack during regular time as well which sailed wide of the sticks.
“The one she kicked, it never really looked like missing,” Moore said.
“She missed her other shot but once we set her up properly and gave her some time, she nailed it.”
CYMS progress to the minor semi-final against Blayney with the victory, but the green and golds are expected to be without Moore for the remainder of the season after she suffered multiple foot fractures in Saturday’s win.
She wouldn’t rule out a potential return later in the finals, should CYMS continue winning, but for the moment it is very unlikely she’ll be sighted on the field again.
The two sides were locked at 0-0 at half-time, although Hawks gun Em McDonald had a chance late in the second half to give her side the lead with a penalty goal. It was waved away, as was Ford’s field goal attempt just before full-time.
CYMS thought they’d sealed the win in the first period of extra-time when Moore turned hooker Teiya Thornberry inside close to Hawks’ line, she slipped past the two blues defenders and planted the ball down.
It was pulled back though, Moore’s pass was deemed forward by the touch judge.
Both sides mounted attacking raids but couldn’t find their way through, before Ford slotted the field goal and sparked wild celebrations from the green and golds.
“As I said, it was just an incredible game. Both teams’ defence was amazing,” Moore said.
“Both sides had big chances to score and looked like doing so, but someone would come up with a desperate tag and find a way to stop the try.”
Moore said prior to Saturday’s game her side would be quietly confident playing any of the top three sides in the minor semi-final, the venue of which is yet to be determined.
There’s a thought considering CYMS’ three senior men’s sides will play in Sunday’s major semi-final at Wade Park the league tag minor could be moved from Bathurst to Orange, which Moore said would make sense considering the green and golds will play the Bears.
It would keep all four of the club’s sides together and have little impact on Blayney’s travel time.
Blayney have the upper hand over CYMS in terms of results having won their last encounter 24-0 in round 17 however Moore said her side takes plenty of confidence from the 10-10 draw they held the Bears to in round eight.
The Bears were beaten 20-6 by Bathurst St Pat’s in Sunday’s second-versus-third qualifying final. The latter side moves to the major semi-final, where they’ll take on cross-city rivals and minor premiers Bathurst Panthers.
ORANGE CYMS 1 (Bec Ford field goal) def ORANGE HAWKS 0
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
