Moree's Ash Walker has received glowing feedback following her performance for the Hunter Wildfires in their win against Warringah in the Jack Scott Cup.
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The Wildfires produced their best half of rugby to rally from 10-0 down and overpower an Ella Green-led Warringah 21-10 at Pittwater Park on Saturday.
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The win was the Wildfires' third and moved them above the Rats into fifth spot behind Easts on points differential on the Jack Scott Cup table.
While barnstorming prop Candice Clay was instrumental in the revival, coach Brooke Saunders said everyone lifted to a new level.
"The second half was the best we have played in a long time," Saunders said.
"Every game, you get one or two players who step up. On Saturday we had three or four who played above a level that they have ever played before.
"Hopefully, by the end of the season we can get all 23 at a level above. They need to believe in themselves and know they can do it.
"Ash Walker stepped up to the Wallaroo level. You could see by her doing that, the other girls cottoned on and followed her lead.
"Our forwards stuck it to them. Sometimes the grunt work they do goes unnoticed. They soaked up phase after phase in defence.
"Halfback Peta Satler took one of the biggest hits I have ever seen in a women's rugby game from Ella Green... every single one of the girls stepped up."
Wallaroos superstar Green started at outside centre, with NSW Waratahs Super W regular Katrina Barker at fly-half.
"Ash Walker did a really good job at shutting them down," Saunders said.
Clay started the comeback shortly after the resumption with an intercept try, which she converterd.
Lock Kate Holland crashed over to send the visitors ahead 14-10 in the 55th minute before winger Anika Butler sealed the win five minutes from full-time with her seventh try in four games.
Next for the Wildfires are the third-placed Western Sydney Two Blues at Lidcome Oval.
"That will be one of our most competitive games," Saunders said.
