Women’s Rugby League continues to thrive in NSW with Bathurst St Pat’s President Gary Goldsmith describing their champion League Tag side as the “backbone of our club.”
Since the inaugural Group 10 League Tag season in 2012, Bathurst St Pat's has been a competition powerhouse after winning six titles in 11 years, including 2012, 2015, and four consecutive titles between 2017-2022 (2020-21 suspended due to COVID pandemic).
Last season was one to remember for the Saints, who went through the Group 10 season undefeated before reaffirming their status as one of the best League Tag teams in the state after defeating Group 11 champions Dubbo CYMS 24-nil in the Western Premiers Challenge.
“They are the best workers and absolute backbone of our club,” St Pat’s President Gary Goldsmith said.
“We think they are bloody wonderful and a great bunch of girls.”
With the Group 10 and 11 League Tag competitions now combined to form the 14-team Blues Tag Western Premiership in 2023, the Saints have enjoyed the challenge of playing different sides.
“It was a bit of shock for us because Group 10 and Group 11 League Tag is very different, but it has been really good combining with them this year,” Saints stalwart Meredith Jones said.
“We have played three crossover games, and it’s good to play and adapt to new competition, and the Group 11 girls love to throw the ball around, while Group 10 is quite structured, so it’s definitely been good to experience that.”
The Saints have enjoyed an almost perfect start to the season and, on Saturday, landed a critical 24-12 victory over the second-placed Orange CYMS in their Round 10 match at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex.
The top-of-the-table Bathurst side was taking on the previously unbeaten CYMS that they drew 18-all back in Round Five, and the match didn't disappoint, with Orange leading Bathurst 12-10 after 28 minutes of play.
St Pat’s class shone through late in the game, with Jones, Bronte Emanuel, and Ebony O'Neill scoring second-half tries as the Saints secured the 12-point win and outright top spot on the competition ladder.
“They were a challenge, and we have kept quite a few teams to zero this year, but CYMS are quick and good taggers, and we had to adapt to their play,” Jones said.
“It took us about 25 minutes to adjust our attack, but once we calmed down at half-time, we knew the points would come, and we could score some late tries.”
When quizzed on the Saints’ prolonged success, Jones, who joined the club in 2015, touched on a stable outfit coached by competition legend Karah Logan.
“We have been pretty luck in that we have not had a massive turnover of players,” Jones said.
“I don’t want to pin all our success down on one person, but Karah Logan was there when it started, and she is back coaching this year.
“She was a great player and is a great coach, and with Karah, it is how she brings everyone together and keeps everyone together.
“Our comradery is really important, and how much time we spend together means that we are all friends, and as long as you're a good person, we can teach you to play.
“Plus, most of us are teachers, and we spend so much time together, and we don’t fight and have built a good foundation around our friendships.”
Bathurst St Pat’s put their families first, and Jones believes that’s another reason why the club has enjoyed continued success on and off the paddock.
“The older you get, the less time you get to catch up with people,” Jones said.
“With training and games, that’s two to three hours a week that forces you to go out and spend time with people you like.
“Plus, we all bring the kids along, and that is part of the club’s culture; it’s a really good family club.
“There will be 30 kids running wild around the clubhouse, and it’s great, and my partner Caleb plays first grade, and I played League Tag, but there is always someone around to help out.”
With only five games remaining in the 2023 regular season, Jones and her St Pat’s outfit will look to finish with a flurry of wins, and they take on their inter-town rivals on Sunday with a big game against Bathurst Panthers at Carrington Park.
Blues Tag Western Premiership Round 11 draw – (Saturday, July 15): Lithgow Wolve v Orange Hawks at Tony Luchetti Sportsground; (Sunday, July 16): Macquarie Raiders v Forbes Magpies at Apex Oval, Bathurst Panthers v Bathurst St Pat's at Carrington Park, Parkes Spacecats v Nyngan Tigers at Pioneer Oval, Mudgee Dragons v Cowra Magpies at Wade Park, Willington Cowgirls v Dubbo CYMS at Wellington, Blayney Bears v Dubbo CYMS in Blayney.
Group 10 League Tag standings: Bathurst St Pat's 19, Orange CYMS 17, Mudgee Dragons 12, Orange Hawks 10, Lithgow Wolves 9, Cowra Magpies 9, Bathurst Panthers 2, Blayney Bears 2.
Group 11 League Tag standings: Forbes Magpies 16, Dubbo CYMS 16, Macquarie Raiders 12, Parkes Spacecats 8, Wellington Cowgirls 6, Nyngan Tigers 2.
