Orchids go down to England
By ZACHERY PER
ENGLAND captain Emily Rudge scored four tries as her side beat the Oil Search Papua New Guinea Orchids 24-10 at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Goroka on Saturday.
England coach Craig Richards hailed Rudge, who scored two tries each in either half, as a great leader.
He thanked the Goroka crowd, local organising committee chairman Simon Sia and the NSI for contributing to a successful match – the first of a two-test series.
Orchids coach Bagelio Solien said they didn’t complete many of their sets and turned over possession easily to the visitors.
International Rugby League southern hemisphere general manager Jeremy Edwards said Goroka had stated its case to host more international matches following the successful outcome of the test.
“We want to come back here for more international matches next year, as the organisers have done a tremendous effort to make visitors enjoy the comfort and peace,” Edwards said.
The match started with both sides fighting an even battle in the first 20 minutes.
Rudge, Tara Jones, Amy Johnson, Grace Field, Chantelle Lacey and Charlotte Booth tried their best to gain yardage in the Orchids’ territory.
However, the visitors’ efforts were snuffed out by Orchids captain Elsie Albert and fellow forwards Roswita Kapo, Seroge Sabumei, Shirley Joe, Tahina Booth, Elizabeth Paisoi, Gloria Kaupa and Janet Johns.
England captain Rudge managed to barge her way over to score her first try in the 21st minute. Tara-Jane Stanley’s conversion attempt went begging as England took a 4-0 lead.
The Orchids backline of Gemma Schnaubelt, Ua Ravu, Belinda Gwasamum, Erswin Kaiat, Lyiannah Allan and Lila Malabag had little room to move as England’s defence proved watertight in large parts of the contest.
The visitors took an 8-0 halftime lead after Rudge scored an unconverted try.
After the break, Rudge was set up in a well-worked move to cross for her third try. Halfback Faye Gaskin’s conversion attempt went begging as England shot out to a 12-0 lead.
Substitute Booth then crossed over to push England out to a 16-0.
Fifteen minutes from fulltime, the Orchids combined well to send Shirley Joe over for a converted try to cut England’s lead to a 10-point ball game.
But Rudge crossed over for another unconverted try to give England an unassailable 20-6 lead.
With five minutes left, England combined well to put centre Rachel Thompson over in the right corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.
The Orchids were awarded a consolation after halfback Lila Malabang put up a high kick for Ravu to cross over for an unconverted try.
5 comments
The Orchids are on a learning curve and this exposure would do them a world of good. The biggest winner in this fixture however is the good public relations and international exposure our country, not to mention Goroka, would receive in the world media. Thank you to the organizing committee and PNG Rugby League. We need more such exposure.
Can PNG government burned this Women Rugby leage so called PNG Orchids Please?
Its wasting Tax payers money instead of doing other tengible developemtents of the country. Such liabilities alaring in loosing the game everynow and then potray the bad image of the country.
Well done my country women!!
You did PNG proud by that margin. Heads up and take that as a stepping stone.
You fought well that day.
Well done Goroka Supporter. You male PNG proud. Its by time Goroka has a stadium to host future events. The climate there is great, people are peaceful, and the place is convenient.
I don’t see what the “Woman In League” would benefit PNG. Can the PNGNRL board done away with this program? You just destroy the Orchids player physiological aspect and contributes to some social problem that will evolve in later years to come. When woman/girls become masculine (not feminine) and aggression they, start producing testosterone (male hormone). Lesbians and infertility would be harvested in PNG via woman in league.
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