Defeat for Albury-Wodonga Steamers men - but the women are flying

Missing several key players through injury and up against a strong Wagga Waratahs side, the Steamers had their work cut out from the first whistle.

And the visitors simply proved too strong at Murrayfield, easing to a 53-14 victory.

Liam Krautz scored both Steamers tries while for Tahs, there were hat-tricks for Rob Selosse and Harry Morrow.

Waratahs were even more dominant in the second grade match, winning 81-5, but it was a different story for the in-form Steamers women.

They battled to a 25-22 win, with five different try-scorers helping the Steamers to a fifth win in six outings.

Emma McGlone, Jade Batten, Jocelyn Wilson, Kaitlyn McKay and Kirra Burke all touched down for the hosts, to the delight of Steamers coach Elyse Burns.

"I was freaking ecstatic," she beamed. "I don't know who was more excited, me or the girls. If I had nails to chew, there would be no nails left. It was tense and it wasn't just me, it was the whole bench.

"There were so many people there for Ladies Day, there was a huge crowd and you could almost cut the tension with a knife.

"The girls really stepped up. We had Kirra Burke back, she really held her own on the field and tried to calm the girls down so that was exciting to see.

"We got a little bit thrown by the wind. Our plan is a short kick-off to try to gain the possession but the wind came in and the ball didn't make the 10 metres.

"But we got straight onto that and the game plan flowed the whole way through.

"Emma Clements was amazing in directing the play. Her confidence level has gone through the roof.

"Emma McGlone has been putting the work in at training and she was phenomenal in the forwards. She got a try supporting Kirra's run through early in the second half and she was just in everything.

"Josephine Cunliffe was fantastic in defence, chasing down and making try-saving tackles."

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The Steamers are now clear in second place, with Griffith the only side boasting a better record in 2021.

"I said to them at half-time, I don't know what to say because I'm so proud. Everything we've been doing at training has come out on the field," Burns said.

"Five wins out of six, for us, is unheard of. It's phenomenal. I think I'm still processing how well we've done."

Steamers have a bye next weekend, resuming their season away to Wagga City on May 29.

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