Round One Review: Hatchard turns heads on debut
Published Tue 11 Oct 2022
Image: AJ Walwyn
Our Adelaide University Romas kicked off their 2022 campaign, securing fifth spot in the Plate Final.
The road to the final proved tough, coming up against the University of Newcastle in their first match, who they would eventually face in the playoffs.
Alice Gregory opened the account for the Romas, scoring the first try of the season.
Two minutes later saw veteran Zahn Anthony convert another try, but unfortunately this wasn’t enough to hold off Newcastle as the Romas went down 15-10.
Match two saw the Romas take on Victorian outfit, the University of Melbourne.
It was the Romas who striked first, with Gregory continuing her form with another try.
Captain Ellie Konopka followed up with another try in the 9th minute, but Melbourne was able to run away with the victory defeating Adelaide 22-10.
Our last match of day one saw a breakout game for debutant Tiara Hatchard, as the Romas secured their first win against the University of Canberra.
The current University of Adelaide student and Elite Athlete was a jet down the wing, scoring two tries in a matter of minutes.
Coming across from the Waatus, the University’s High Performance Basketball team seem to be no problem for the speedy winger.
Alice Gregory continued her form with another try, as her and Hatchard developed a deadly partnership.
Lilly Rydon was accurate on the conversion kicks, slotting all three to give our Romas the first win of the season.
Day two was the toughest for our Romas, facing strong competition in the University of Sydney and current champions, Bond University.
We went scoreless in both games, as Sydney defeated the Romas by 22 points and Bond by 36.
Our last game of the day before finals saw us come up against the University of Western Australia, with our Romas facing former teammate Taj Heald.
Hatchard and Gregory continued their form, scoring three tries between the two of them.
Rydon secured two conversions, but the Western Australian’s were able to hold on with a 31-19 victory.
A nervous end to the day, saw the Romas finish in sixth spot overall, which gave them a spot in the Plate Final.
The Romas looked to bounce back and secure fifth spot when they took on the University of Newcastle, who they lost to in their first match.
It was the Romas who converted first, with Hatchard securing the first try. Rydon was able to convert giving the hosts an early lead.
Newcastle bounced back and with Gregory’s sixth try of the weekend, the two teams couldn’t be separated and headed to overtime.
But it was Gregory again who scored the golden point, giving our Romas redemption against the University of Newcastle and claiming fifth spot.
A great start to the 2022 season for the Romas, who will come up against some strong competition over the next few weeks.
The Adelaide University Romas will travel to Newcastle this weekend for the second tournament of the season, as they look to back up their form and aim for a top four finish.
