By PETER ROWE
A drop goal from Fremantle five eighth Beth Norton two minutes from time proved decisive at Treeby Oval on Friday night as the Roosters won an arm wrestle of a match 7-6 to go level on points with North Beach after round 11 of the Westpac Women’s Premiership.
With the clock ticking down on what was possibly Fremantle’s last chance for points, centre Keisha Marshall jumped in to hooker role and threw a long pass to Norton who was stood in front of the posts 15 metres out.
And as cool as you like, the halfback then slotted the goal to the cheers of the home crowd.
“The goal meant everything for us, I’m so happy we got the points,” Norton said afterwards.
The game had swing back and forth with both sides pushing, but a combination of good defence and errors saw only two tries all night.
The first came after barely two minutes, an intercept and run of 90 metres from Fremantle centre Georgia Bett and a conversion from Norton gave the home side a very early lead.
10 minutes later the game was locked up as Demi Goldsworthy dummied and dived across from five metres out and the ever reliant boot of Kayleigh Thompson slotted the extras.
Photo – Liam Sallur
Ellenbrook, without mother and daughter duo Sara and Frieda Ah-Sam, couldn’t pierce the Fremantle defence, despite many efforts as Fremantle held firm and then responded with their own series of sets that tested their opponents.
Halftime came and went and the second period began as the first had ended with Fremantle pushing for more points.
But after an early period of big defence from the visitors Ellenbrook then pushed on, looking for a second try.
It wasn’t to come despite the effort, and as we wondered if the deadlock would be broken, up stepped the player of the match Norton to snatch victory for the Roosters.
She admitted afterwards she had been working hard on her kicking game and complimented her teammates for their effort.
“The defence from us at the end was what we had been working on.,” she said.
Ellenbrook captain Kailey Thompson was disappointed by still very proud of her team’s effort.
“We were low on numbers and only had one on the bench in the second half, but that’s no excuse,” she said.
“It was a great game, big defence from both sides, we had our chances but couldn’t capitalise on errors or when we had possession.
“We march on, there’s still lots to play for – so our focus is now on the next game.”