After two and a half years since the final siren sounded at a senior rugby league match in Tieri, the iconic Tieri No. 1 Oval was once again lit up late last month to host the annual Central Highlands Rugby League Representative trials.
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Not only did the night see a large home crowd pack the grandstands to get a fix of local footy that they’ve been sorely missing in the last few years, but the night also gave one Tieri local girl an opportunity to finally play at home after 10 years of having to “play away”.
“The last time I got to step out onto the field was 10 years ago when I was in Under 11s.”
These are the sentiments uttered by Cassidy Morrissey who proudly wears jersey number 8 for the Dysart Bulls Women and has been playing Senior Rugby League for the last two seasons “away” with the Middlemount Panthers Women (2014) and Dysart Bulls Women (2015).
Morrissey was finally given the opportunity to play at home in Tieri on Saturday night (February 27) and before the match said it would be a proud moment to run out once again in front of a home crowd.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to be finally playing back at home,” Morrissey said.
“I’ve actually had a few people around town ask me when they’ll get to see me play a Women’s game at home so it gives them a chance to see a Women’s game played as well as watch me play.
“I’m hoping it’ll be a big night here in Tieri and it’ll be a very proud moment when I get to finally pull on a jersey and run out in front of my home crowd here at Tieri No. 1 Oval.”
Mackenzie Beames was also given the opportunity to play at home in the Women’s match, as well as Axel Cutts, Adam Hugo, Riley Brody, Keegan Mackenzie, Joe Taotofi, Jai Dobbie and Andre Joubert in the Men’s game.
Central Highlands Rugby League President Frank Lambley believed both matches were “terrific games of footy” and showed that the Central Highlands still has plenty of handy footballers running around each week in the Central Highlands competition.
“Thanks to all of the players and staff for putting on a good performance and thanks to the Peak Downs Pirates for hosting the night,” Lambley said.
“It was great to bring Senior Rugby League back to Tieri after a two-year absence. It is a pity that the wonderful facilities at Tieri No.1 Oval are starting to show signs of neglect, but well done to the players and officials who continued on without complaint.”
At the end of the night in the Women’s match, South defeated North 36-8, whilst in the Men’s match it was the other way around with North defeating South 34-16.
The Central Highlands Rugby League would like to thank the Peak Downs Pirates for hosting the day and would like to thank all of the Tieri locals who showed their support on the night.
The game won’t hopefully be the last Senior Rugby League match to be played at Tieri No.1 Oval as the whole Central Highlands community hopes to see the might Peak Downs Pirates back sailing in the Central Highlands competition in 2017.
