Jamieson was well supported by teammates Shannon Sweeney (two goals), best player Zara Hartley (one goal), and Laura Copelin at the Mount Isa soccer fields.

Hartley put in a great performance, reading the game well and constantly threading passes through to her players, while Copelin led on the front foot from the backline.

In a much-anticipated opening fixture of the season, the game was closely contested with the football played at both ends of the field.

Tigers coach Brendan Voss admitted that both teams turned up to play in the first half but it was his team that excelled going into the second period.

“In the second half, we got our passing game out of first gear and was able to keep possession,” Voss said.

Tigers coach Peter McAllister also had praise for his team, which has a number of new players to the game this season.

“I was really proud of the effort the girls put in, especially the new girls who are just learning the ropes.  The girls have been putting the effort in at training and if they continue to put in the work, they will reap the rewards.  Full credit to Rippers who also have new players,” McAllister said.

Although his team was on the wrong end of the scoreline, Rippers coach Ross Smale could take only positives away from the match.

“There was a lot of team gelling going on for the girls, who have never played with each other before,” Smale said. This is the first year Smale has coached this group of women but there are already early signs that his side is in for a successful season.

 “We were passing the ball around well and we’re starting to build partnerships,” he said.

Smale gave credit where it was due to the opposition, which blew away his team in the second half.

“They had the upper hand in the midfield because we were a bit spread out. But it was generally a free-flowing game.”

Rippers player Mel Graham scored her first goal for her club on debut, while teammate Carla Ryan, who made a welcome return to soccer after three years off, also played well.

In the earlier games, International forfeited a win to Atlas, while Parkside began their season with a 4-2 win over Isaroos in an entertaining match-up for viewers. 

The women’s football fixtures have a week off for Easter and will return to action on April 10 at Mount Isa soccer fields from 6pm.