True Grit: Nambour Senior Women win second Grand Final in a row
It was the first 15-a-side, contested-scrums women’s season and a fitting finale for the undefeated premiers.
Nambour Senior Women’s rugby union claimed its second successive Sunshine Coast Rugby Senior Women’s premiership on the back of a herculean second half defensive effort against Caloundra at Sunshine Coast Uni on Saturday (August 19).
Nambour withstood a second half onslaught by the Lighthouses who had the wind at their backs and a huge penalty count in their favour to win 26-22.
It was the first 15-a-side, contested-scrums women’s season and a fitting finale for the undefeated premiers.
Coach Luke Zeremis was immensely proud of his charges’ grit in holding out a resurgent Caloundra in the second half. At one stage Caloundra led 22-21 after Nambour, who started strongly, struggled against the notorious southerly at Uni.
“Words can't express,” he said. “It's such a young team. So for them to put that defensive effort there against some big women, that was just outstanding.
“Everything was against us, but we stayed strong, just like our (third grade) men did last night in their grand final. And the girls have replicated that right now.”
Zeremis said the wins represented a big moment for the club. “It’s huge for us to win back to back in both the senior men’s and senior women’s. We might lose some to Brisbane next year but the future’s looking really bright for female rugby at Nambour.”
The last 20 minutes of the game was spent with Nambour basically defending in their own half against a surging Caloundra.
“It was absolutely defense that did it,” said Zeremis. “I think we were tackling the entire second half against the strong breeze, but that last few minutes they were camped on our line and our young girls really stood up.”
Zeremis said he was confused as to why Nambour was penalised so much. “From my perspective, it didn't seem consistent, but it made for an entertaining game and we got the win in the end. So that's all history now. And yeah, we should celebrate a good defensive result from our girls.”
Zeremis said he would enjoy the moment before deciding what to do next year, as far as coaching goes. “We’ll see what happens over the next few months.”
Tries were scored by front row Rebeka Murtagh and fly-half Jennifer Ladewig while hooker Eva Johnston crossed twice. Murtagh kicked three conversions.
In other Grand Finals, Nambour defeated Noosa 13-12 in third grade at Nambour on Friday night, Uni defeated Noosa 38-35 in Reserves and Uni defeated Caloundra 27-24 in A-grade.
