Group 20 league tag
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THE Bidgee Hurricanes let slip another winnable game due to a slow start as Yenda won 16-8 at Wade Park last Sunday.
It has been a season of improvement for the Katrinas, but a lack of early confidence had gifted too many teams a start for their traditional storming finish.
Coach Matt O'Connell said it was another game that could have gone either way.
"Ten minutes into the game, a couple of little defensive errors and we went into half-time 12-0," he said.
"We had opportunities late in the first half and crossed the line but had tags removed twice over the line. There was another one in the second half.
"As per usual, the second half of the second half we controlled the ball, competed out sets and got to the kick, and Rheanna O'Connell scored a try and converted.
"With a couple of minutes to go we got a penalty and she converted. They slowed the game down and rolled out their sets and we just couldn't crack them."
The coach said it was a well-structured game and with the ball in hand they performed well.
However, addressing the slow start would be necessary.
"Late in the second half they get determined and believe in themselves," O'Connell said.
"They go out well in the first five minutes, but then there's a handling error and they go into their shells.
"Like any sport, if you're not confident you start to think about the game instead of not working the game.
"They're such determined girls and always rally late in the game. If a bit of luck goes their way, there could have been four wins."
This week the Katrinas host Waratah Tigers at Narrandera in what O'Connell labelled "another game we are quite capable of winning".
Leeton had the bye and travel to take on Darlington Point-Coleambally this weekend.
JOHN GRAY
Group 20 rugby league
WITH their own finals aspirations finished, the Bidgee Hurricanes will make top-five aspirants earn their place in the remaining rounds of the Group 20 competition.
That goal starts tomorrow evening at Narrandera Sportsground when the Hurricanes host third-placed Waratah Tigers.
While coach Simon Watson is not happy at how the season has panned out, he has come to terms with it and so have the players.
Watson said things felt more relaxed this week, but complacency would not be acceptable.
"It's like there's no stress level there because it's not a must-win game," he said.
"But we want to make it harder for other sides. We want to make sides in the five earn their keep.
"There's still five weeks to go and if sides take it easy they could get their pants pulled down."
Regarded as the biggest side in the competition, the Tigers will be no pushover.
"Really, there are three main players to keep an eye on - their big front-rower, their coach Kose Lelei and Talega the fullback," Watson said.
"Everything revolves around them, but you've got to watch all of them really."
The Hurricanes will have to wait until training tonight to select a side with players pulling up sore after last weekend.
"DJ (Daniel Johnson), Taina (Heke) and Troy (Preston) trained but are a bit sore," Watson said.
"Travis Lightfoot didn't train and Kopa (Alofipo) from Canberra is at physio and is 50:50.
"We haven't had a successful season, but we don't want to get injuries and get flogged by Waratahs.
"We know we can't go further, but if I push them now to play, I mightn't have them for the next five weeks."