Fine, cool weather, a well prepared playing surface at McCredie Park, Guildford and a big crowd all combined to make perfect playing conditions for the two big matches of the 2011 Season.
In 1st Division Minor Premiers Norwest/Nirimba Polecats, after racing to 20-4 lead in the first half, and going to the break 20-10 in front, couldn’t stop Lewisham Old Boys/ACU from coming back in the second half to take a 22-20 lead by mid way through the half and holding on grimly to win their first grand final.
The hotly favoured Polecats started slowly and it was the Old Boys that struck first with a try to fullback Michael Cummins after only 6 minutes of play. Their 4-0 lead was held only for a short while, with the Polecats returning serve minutes later when centre Shannon Norford crossed. An altertcation broke out immediately after Norford scored and the referee chose to penalise Old Boys, so whilst Polecat’s Chris Clavell missed with the try conversion he received another chance to get points for his team from right in front and put his side in front 6-4.
From that point the Polecats attack clicked into gear and the Old Boys defence had no answer as first Polecat’s Anthony Hayward crossed wide out, then tries to half back Clavell and five eight Kieran Lindner followed. The usually reliable Clavell was not having a happy day with the boot, only managing to convert Lindner’s try, nevertheless the Minor Premiers held a commanding 20-4 lead with just 5 minutes remaining until half time. But a fairly soft try to Old Boys five eight Aaron Grech right on the bell, converted by Mark Hickey, gave an indication of things to come.
The Old Boys started the second half much the same as they did the first with an early try, when hooker Angus Collins scored in the third minute after a strong run through some ragged Polecats defence. From there the Old Boys managed to keep the Polecats camped in their own half and with a glut of possession it was only a matter of time before they would score again with second rower Talakai Fauonuku crashing over at the 20 minute mark. A Hickey conversion put the Old Boys in front 22-20. The Polecats failed to score from the few opportunities they had when getting into Old Boys territory and that ended up the final score.
Man of the Match was awarded to Old Boys’ veteran front rower Luke Kelley
Lewisham Old Boys/ACU 22 (Tries: Michael Cummins, Aaron Grech, Angus Collins, Talakai Fauonuku, Goals: Mark Hickey 3/4) bt Norwest/Nirimba Polecats 20 (Tries: Shannon Norford, Anthony Hayward, Chris Clavell, Kieran Lindner, Goals: Chris Clavell 2/5)
In the 2nd Division grand final the fancied ANU Grizzlies went down 28-18 to UTS Tigers in match that was dominated by the Tigers for the most part and in particular by their Captain Tony Phillips, who bagged 4 tries.
Both sides scored early with the Tigers’ front rower Phillips crossing for his first after 5 minutes of play but the Grizzlies hit straight back via fullback Adam Keough to trail 4-6 after 10 minutes. Tigers winger Paul Pantano crossed at the 23rd minute and right on half time Phillips crashed over near the posts and a conversion by Selwyn Bridger-Wharepapa gave UTS a 16-4 lead at the break.
Any thought that the Grizzlies would force a comeback faded in the early passages of the second half when Phillips scored for the third time to take the Tigers ahead 22-4. Grizzlies five eight Ben Giteua did everything he could to spark an ANU revival scoring two quick tries midway through the half and behind only 18-22 it did look like they were still in with a chance. However, Phillips ended all hope of a grandstand finish for the Grizzlies, sealing a win for the Tigers with a try 8 minutes from full time.
Man of the Match was awarded to Tigers’ Tony Phillips
UTS Tigers 28 (Tries: Tony Phillips 4, Paul Pantano, Goals: Selwyn Bridger-Wharepapa 4/5) bt ANU Grizzlies 18 (Tries: Ben Giteau 2, Adam Keough, Dean Chapman, Goals: Dave Turner 1/4)
