In the Central Coast Rugby Union Premier 1 Minor Semi-final at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday, August 30, Woy Woy outlasted Avoca Beach in a high standard game of rugby
Woy Woy won the match 24 points to 19 but the result was not assured until the fulltime hooter. In a match that went from one end of the field to the other, and which saw some bone jarring tackles, Woy Woy scored three tries to two in a match that could have gone either way. The match saw a very even start but right from the word go action was all over the paddock. In the opening minutes Avoca Beach had the better of play but then quickly Woy Woy had its turn at attack. There were several breaks and the action was a plenty. Woy Woy opened the scoring in the ninth minute when they crossed out wide for a try by number eight Tevita Tangi Noa. The conversion from the sideline saw Woy Woy go to an early lead of seven points to nil. The middle period of the first half was dominated by Woy Woy. They were on incessant attack but could not break through for any further tries. The Avoca Beach defence stood firm. Woy Woy were rewarded with a penalty goal, however, and they led by 10 points to nil at the 23rd minute of the first half. It was exciting rugby with several opportunities by both teams to post further points. Avoca Beach reduced the lead in the 30th minute when they kicked a penalty goal. However both teams were to score a try apiece in the final 10 minutes of the half. Woy Woy crossed for a converted try to lead by 17 points to three at the 32rd minute, and just when things seemed to be getting away from Avoca Beach, they also quickly responded. Avoca Beach then scored their first try in the 37th minute when fullback James Latham crossed for the try. This made the score 17 points to eight which remained the score at the halftime break. Avoca Beach increased their chances of victory early in the second half when, in the second minute of the half, they kicked a further penalty goal, and the score stood at 17 points to 11. Avoca Beach then quickly followed this up again with their second try when winger Matt Maloney crossed in the corner after a fine backline movement. This made the scores very close at Woy Woy 17, Avoca Beach 16. It was only the eighth minute of the second stanza and the crowd were on their feet. Avoca Beach continued this resurgence and in the 12th minute took the lead in the match for the first time. Winger Matt Maloney kicked a penalty goal for Avoca Beach and they led the game by 19 points to 17. However there was a lot of time to go and it did not take long for Woy Woy to hit back. Four minutes later, in the 16th minute, a strong scrum by Woy Woy resulted in their prop Apisai Vatubuli crossing for a try adjacent to the posts. This resulted from a good forward attack and a dominant scrum. The conversion of this try took Woy Woy back to lead by 24 points to 19 with a quarter of the match to go. However despite plenty of action there were to be no more points scored in the match in the final 20 odd minutes. The action was there, the attack was there but the good defence was also there. The supporters of both teams were very tense with the victory up for grabs. Best players for Woy Woy were flanker Alifeleti Atiola, prop Apisai Vatubuli, flyhalf Fokolulu Taumalolo and replacement hooker Nick Garnett. Avoca Beach were best served by flyhalf Mitch Graham, prop Luke Sheridan, and half back Julian Bacigalupo. The match ended with Avoca Beach on attack and they were in that situation for several minutes. Woy Woy were able to hold them out to hang on for victory. It has been many years since Avoca Beach has not been in a Grand Final, and the Premiership is now down to three remaining teams. Gosford had an easy win in Premier 2 when they easily accounted for Avoca Beach in the Minor Semi- final winning by 34 points to seven. The first half saw a very tight contest and Gosford only went to the halftime break leading by 10-0. It was a physical clash with several players feeling the effects of some massive tackles. However the second half saw the match open up and it was dominated by the Gosford team. They were able to post a further 24 points during the half and dominate proceedings. Avoca Beach did score late in the match to secure their only points. Best players for Gosford were lock Mitch Cornwell and flyhalf Damien Montgomery, while for Avoca Beach, flanker Max Stewart never stopped trying. Gosford continue on and the form they displayed in this match certainly puts them well and truly in the Premiership race in this grade. In another match that was quite one sided, Ourimbah were able to win the President Cup Minor Semi-final defeating Avoca Beach by 33 points to eight. Avoca Beach opened the scoring with an early penalty goal, but Ourimbah scored a converted try soon after and continued to dominate proceedings for the remainder of the match. Ourimbah led by 19 points to three at the halftime break and even then things seemed ominous for Avoca Beach. Ourimbah continued their same attacking form and were able to score a further 14 points in the second period to get the victory. The outstanding player in the match was Ourimbah centre Michael Pollock, who scored two tries and kicked four goals. In what proved a scrappy game of rugby, Terrigal defeated Warnervale in the U19 Minor Semi-final by 13 points to five. Terrigal were the better team on the day but the slightly damp conditions forced quite a few errors. Terrigal flanker Aaron Carrigg led the way all day. Terrigal were always in control on the scoreboard and showed they are a definite Premiership threat this year.
Media release,
30 Aug 2014
Larry Thomson, Central
Coast Rugby Union