The Tathra-based Far South Coast Falcons travelled to Canberra last Saturday to take on Wests Rugby Club in the ACT Junior Rugby Union Girls 10s Competition.
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This competition is the first of its kind and the Falcons took to the paddock like a team that meant business.
Up against a mighty ACT club with a proud Rugby Union history and supporter base, the under 15 and 17 Falcons showed Wests what the ‘Coasties' are made of.
A spokeswoman for the club said the effort from both the 15s and 17s embodied the motto of the Falcons – Together we soar.
The Under 15s girls played a tough, physical game running out the eventual winners with a 30-20 scoreline.
Officials said it was a great whole-team effort, but captain Jorja Moore led from the front scoring a try, as did Josie Pearson, Macey Canavan, Jess Howarth and Lilli O'Dea – who scored a double.
Young Tighthead prop Holly Christison was particularly impressive on debut with some powerful runs, while hooker Ava Strang was all over the park and a constant threat to Wests at the breakdown.
The under 17s combined with the Jindabyne Miss Piglets to form an unstoppable team. The Jindy Falcons or Flying Piglets as they refer to themselves, played an entertaining style of rugby and despite injuries, brought down a valiant Wests team 27-0.
Falcon Tamika Millard had a particularly strong game at fly half, scoring two tries and a conversion.
Jindabyne twins Kirra and Rhianna Burke were an ever- present threat in attack and defence, while Falcons Brooke Ragen and Taylah Abraham both of Bega, and Jada Flanagan of Batemans Bay, all played strongly and were heavily involved in the match.
The Far South Coast Falcons are a fledgling club, established just this year, with the guidance of the Jindabyne Rugby Union Club and the support of local businesses.
The Falcons’ home ground is Tathra and the players travel from as far as Batemans Bay and Eden each week to train under nationally accredited coach Scott Harris.
"While the girls were nervous about playing and being part of history - the first ever all-girls competition outside of school - they have been training hard for the past five weeks and they were ready to give it their best," Harris said.
"As teams, both age groups performed well above expectations. They worked hard for each other in attack and defence, showing great character and skill to score some amazing tries.I am really proud of the girls."
The Falcons head to Canberra next week to play the Canberra Uni-Norths Owls with the combined under 17s to play a curtain-raiser for the Brumbies v Lions game on Friday.
