Marty Lyden's Vipers announced themselves as the clear cut team to beat during Sunday's Western Women's Rugby League top-of-the-table battle as they clawed back from a 16-6 deficit against Wiradjuri Goannas.
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The Vipers, a vastly improved outfit in the second half, showed their quality and stormed home to ran out 20-16 winners.
Despite the loss, Wiradjuri captain Amy Townsend still feels her side is the best in the competition.
"(Vipers captain) Jacky (Lyden) might not agree but I think we're the best team in the competition on our day," Townsend said post-game.
"When we get a roll on we're near unstoppable and that showed in the first half.
While confident in her side's ability, Townsend admitted they were nowhere near good enough in the second half.
Alex Couley scored inside the first three minutes of the second half to take the lead out to 16-6 but it was all one-way traffic from there as the Vipers executed a simple game plan.
"That was unreal," Vipers captain Lyden said.
"We knew in that second half it was a fresh start and we came out firing.
"It was just to settle. Get through our sets, finish it off and tire them out on their own line."
The game featured a number of the region's best players but both sides were able to shut down the key opposition figures well.
It was the the Vipers quality of depth which shone in the second half, as barnstorming teenager Tabua Tuinakauvadra got her side back in the game when barging over with 12 minutes left.
Tayla Press muscled her way over with six to go to level it up at 16-all but McDonald was able to convert.
But while many in the stands started preparing for extra-time, Samara Afele was not.
The Vipers prop powered over after sustained pressure with less than three minutes remaining to secure victory and put her side firmly in control of the race for the minor premiership.
"II was our own mistakes which cost us the game," Townsend said.
"I think that always hurts more. We just let them back in at the end when we shouldn't have and it was literally just costly errors.
"Our game plan is always to drive through the middle and we went away from that in the second half.
"And that's a credit to them as well, they hung in and kept fighting for every second and waited for us to make mistakes."
Lyden said there was still plenty for her side to work on in the remaining two rounds of the regular season.
But one thing that's been key for the side each week is the spirit within it and it was vital again on Sunday as the Vipers never gave up despite the minutes ticking down.
"We've got some new girls and it's so good for them to have that physicality and everyone is gelling," Lyden said.
"It's really nice environment to be in and it's very positive."
Lyden also had plenty of praise for powerhouse Tuinakauvadra and a number of the other Vipers youngsters who are pushing for a spot in the opens' team.
"It's so nice to have these under 18s coming through," the skipper said.
"She's quite strong and so powerful. It's the fresh legs and it's really good. She's fantastic."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
