The South Sydney Rabbitohs women's team has moved within one game of being crowned minor premiers of the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership, with a strong 28-14 win over Cabramatta at Redfern Oval.
After a difficult month of June, the Red and Green bounced back with a dominant display, which saw captain Lavina O'Mealey and winger Taleena Simon grab doubles.
Starting off with a bang both sides were up for the contest with strong hard running setting the tone for the match.
However, it didn't take long for the Rabbitohs to fire, with leading try scorer Simon producing a spectacular long-range effort that she has become famous for in Red and Green colours in 2018.
Receiving a long pass from half O'Mealey 20 metres out from her own line, Simon showed her raw pace as she burnt the Cabramatta defence out wide before cutting back in-field to race away and score under the posts.
Halfback Maddie Studdon had an easy job from right in front to put her side 6-0 ahead after five minutes.
The Rabbitohs then slotted into fifth gear reminding everyone of their class and composure.
Working their way downfield comfortably through strong runs from forwards Chloe Caldwell, Grace Uluiburuto and Kimbaley Kershaw, the Rabbitohs set themselves up for their next four points.
Swinging the ball out to the open side, five-eighth O'Mealey was offered too much room by the defence and the skilful veteran shimmied and dummied her way to the line to score her first of the evening in the 14th minute.
Studdon was unsuccessful with her conversion from the touchline but the Rabbitohs still had a 10-0 lead.
Just a few minutes later the Cardinal and Myrtle were in again, this time through centre Emma Gillogly.
It was an easy job for Gillogly, who only had to catch and put the ball down to score with no defenders in front of her after Studdon's cut out ball split the opposition's defence.
The sideline conversion was successful from the halfback, which stretched the lead out to 16-0.
Despite the Rabbitohs dominance, the Cabramatta side were still in the contest and their never say die attitude pay dividends, with a late try to Chanel Steiner in the corner.
The try set up a unique scoreline at half-time with the Rabbitohs leading 16-4.
It didn't take long for the first try to be scored in the second half, with a rejuvenated Cabramatta outfit getting on the board in the 32nd minute through centre Quilaine Papua, who touched down in the corner following a havoc-wrecking kick from number 7 Raecene McGregor.
The conversion was again too difficult a challenge for Teina Clark but her side were well and truly back in the match.
While it took them a little while to settle into their groove in the second half the Rabbitohs finally clicked into gear in the 42nd minute as O'Mealey grabbed her double.
Mirroring her first try with another fleet-footed run to the line, O'Mealey was again too hot to handle for the defence as she put the Rabbitohs back in the drives seat.
Studdon easily added the extras to put the Rabbitohs ahead 22-8
The match was then put to bed 11 minutes later as Simon produced another long distance try to take her tally to 19 for the season.
Studdon's boot turned four points into six to give the Red and Green a comfortable 28-8 lead.
Cabramatta scored one late consolation try through Victoria Latu but it was South Sydney's day as the Rabbitohs got back to winning ways.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 28
Lavina O'Mealey 2, Taleena Simon 2, Emma Gillogly tries: Maddie Studdon 4 goals
defeated
Cabramatta 14
Chanel Steiner, Quilaine Papua, Victoria Latu tries; Teina Clark goal
