Ulberg double leads Bulldogs to club’s first women’s premiership | Photos

The devastating Bathurst Bulldogs flanker scored two great tries in her side’s maiden Blowes Clothing Cup women’s premiership against the Cowra Eagles at Endeavour Oval on Saturday.

Ulberg crossed for the game’s opening five-pointer in the first half, and then produced the try of the game to open the second period and give her side a sniff of title victory.

Getting the ball just inside her own half, Ulberg darted cross-field before fending off two would-be Ealges defenders to score out wide for the Dogs, handing the blue and golds a 10-0 lead.

That advantage was then extended to 15 points thanks to a five-pointer from player of the game, Marita Shoulders, before Cowra scored a late consolation try through winger Tanielle Michael to take the final score to 15-5.

Bulldogs coach Tuma Aisake was mobbed by his players at the end of the game and, with mud covering him, described his side’s win as a history-making moment for the Bathurst club.

“I said to the girls ‘this one goes in the history book for the club, they should be proud of themselves’,” Aisake said.

“From the kick-off they just lifted. Everyone played well.

“I’m so proud of the girls, from the beginning of the season to the final whistle, I’m so happy for them.”

He said Ulberg was outstanding for his side, while the leadership of skipper Mandy Scott was also terrific during Saturday’s win at Endeavour Oval and throughout the club’s first foray into the region’s women’s rugby competition.

“Very good player. I think all of the girls lifted for the whole game, which makes a big difference,” Aisake added.

“A third of the team has played before, it was tough. It was like banging your head against the wall sometimes, 18 girls and I’m on my own … you can’t win,” he smiled.

Cowra veteran Michelle Munro, in her 20^th season playing women’s rugby in the central west, couldn’t take anything away from the victorious Bulldogs girls.

“They deserve this,” she said.

“Someone has to lose. Those girls train hard, play hard, we’re just a bunch of miss-fits that have a bit of fun. There’s no cardio, or anything like that. 

“We’ll enjoy this though. We made a grand final.”

Cowra’s Central West gun Inge Visser was tremendous in a beaten side, while five-eighth Lyllian Mason-Spice and halves partner Betty Doolan looked dangerous at times.

For the premiership winners, Carly Elwin was slippery at five-eighth.