Barcaldine Ladies Rugby League Football
The first intertown ladies match played in the history of Western football was played on the afternoon of Saturday 18 July 1925. A large crowd were present to witness the event.
The efforts of the Barcaldine ladies showed a good knowledge of football considering they are practically learners. Their knowledge of the game proved too good for the Blackall ladies, whom they defeated by 26 points to nil. The Blackall ladies played hard, but they lacked sufficient knowledge of the rules. When they got the ball they apparently did not know what to do with it. The ground was heavy and handicapped them considerably. However, they showed splendid sportsmanship and nerve in coming over to Barcaldine to play their first intertown game on a strange field
Barcaldine Ladies Rugby League Team 1925
From Left: Ada (Thompson) Hardiman, Nellie Ryan, Biddy (Kahl) Patterson, Hannah (McInnis) Duffy, Josie Cliffe, Kate Ogden, Fanny (Balderson) Flood, Josie Hoare, Edna (Lennon) Murnane.
THE MATCH
First Half
The Band struck up as Miss Edna Lennon led on the Barcaldine team and Miss M Neville the Blackall team. Both teams received an ovation on taking the field. Blackall took the field two short, but their places were filled later on. Barcaldine won the toss and defended the hospital end. The local forwards took play to visitors’ territory, where a Blackall lady kicked towards Barcaldine’s goal line. Eventually the ball went over the line and J Grey scored the opening try amidst applause. The attempt to goal failed. Barcaldine 3, Blackall nil. Off again, and even play continued in mid-field, where Blackall was awarded a free. Even play followed. The ball was returned to visitors’ territory. A ruck followed near the 25-line. K McKenna picked up and threw back: A Thompson missed, E Balderson secured, and making use of plenty of pace out-ran her opponents, scoring a good try behind the posts. The attempt to goal failed. Barcaldine six to nil. Play followed in midfield. L Mulcahy secured and put in a good run, being tackled by D Smith in visitors’ territory. Play again worked to neutral territory, where M Neville secured and broke through, being forced out. From the scrum K McKenna kicked. Play now worked to visitors’ 25 where K Ogden, from a ruck, kicked over the line, and following on scored. The attempt to goal failed. Barcaldine 9. Play remained even at midfield for some time, then the visitors took play to Barcaldine territory, K Ballinger being prominent. The ball went over the line and Barcaldine saved. Off again, and play was taken to visitors’ territory. A Thompson secured and was tackled by Kynett. The ball went loose. K Ogden kicked over the line, and following on scored. The attempt to goal failed. Barcaldine 12, Blackall nil. Further even play followed up to half-time without any alteration to the score.
Second Half
On resuming, play remained in neutral territory. M Neville kicked out from the scrum. V Blacker secured and broke through, but fell down. B Charlesworth threw back to K McKenna, to P Mather, who raced for the line, but was brought down by P Pont. Barcaldine continued to press and the visitors saved. Barcaldine kept up the pressure. Eventually B Charlesworth secured and scored in the corner. Barcaldine 15 to nil. Off again, and Barcaldine again attacked, a good try resulting. Following an exchange of kicks in visitors’ 25 L Kynett kicked across field. P Mather secured on the bounce and raced between the posts. 18 to nil. Off again and following even play Barcaldine continued to attack. J Grey picked up and after a good run scored behind the posts. The try was converted. Barcaldine 23-nil. Soon afterwards the home team registered another try. A Thompson broke away and lost the ball. The ball went loose. Three Barcaldine players were in a heap on the ground. J Grey, however, scored. Barcaldine 26, Blackall nil. This was the final score, full-time sounding soon afterwards.
Blackall Ladies Rugby League Team 1925
