THE Laurieton Hotel Stingrays women’s tackle side had a strong away win over the Kendall Blues on Saturday 29 June at the Kendall Showground, leading 26-0 before the game was called early due to injury.

The Stingrays took control of the game during only their second set of six, with Nakita Binge crossing the goal line to score the first try of the day.

The conversion was unsuccessful, however the Stingray were on the board, leading the Blues 4-0.

Erin Gunton, wearing jersey number 13 for the Stingrays, broke through the defensive line of the Blues next, scoring her side’s second try.

She then successfully converted her own try, stretching the Stingray lead to ten points.

Jayme Averillo soon went across the line out wide for try number three.

Erin Gunton continued to find her kicking stride and sent the ball straight through the uprights, giving the Stingrays a sixteen point lead going into half time.

The second half brought little change for the Blues, with the Stingrays continuing to dominate play with quick line break acceleration and solid defensive efforts.

Averillo’s pace eventually sent her across the line for her second try of the day, and after another successful conversion by Erin Gunton, the Stingrays led the Blues 22-0.

The last try of the day went to Sharni Graham, with the game ending 26-0.

Kendall Blues captain Maddy Beauchamp told News Of The Area (NOTA), “Despite the loss we will take confidence from what worked well for us today as a team and address the areas we need to improve on before our next match.

“It was a tough game out there today.”

“We came into today’s game wanting to muscle through the middle, which I feel we did really well, but unfortunately the Rays have a lot of outside speed and they were able to zip around us.”

Stingrays coach Whitney McCabe said keeping Kendall scoreless was a “fantastic effort” by her side.

“The girls stuck to our plan and the structures we had in place,” McCabe said.

“We completed all our sets and our defense was immaculate.”

Nakita Binge, co-captain of the Stingrays, told NOTA she was really impressed with her side’s composure and how they handled themselves throughout.

Emily Wright, the team’s other co-captain, said it was always a tough physical battle against their crosstown rivals.

“It is always a hard fought match against Kendall, being the battle of Camden Haven,” she said.

“I don’t think there is a single player out there who did not have their best game today.

“It is always really positive to go into next week’s round after a win.”

By Kim AMBROSE