RUGBY
At the culmination of a riveting day of rugby at Central Coast Stadium, the Terrigal Trojans hung on to take out the 2022 CCRU Premier 1 Grand Final 13 points to 8 over long-time rivals, the Ourimbah Razorbacks.
In clear conditions both teams put on an amazing display of spirited defence giving rise to a dour struggle for the full 80 minutes.
From the opening whistle, play went from one end of the field to the other but neither team was able to open up the scoring until the 27th minute when Terrigal kicked a penalty goal.
The Razorbacks responded quickly with their own penalty goal to go into the halftime break at 3 points apiece.
The second half continued in much the same vein.
Terrigal kicked a second penalty goal in the 11th minute to lead 6 points to 3, but the Razorbacks then grabbed the lead for the first time in the match when prop Steve Finley crashed over for the first try.
Terrigal regained the lead in the 24th minute when hooker Ethan McInnes crossed for their first try to give the Trojans a 13-8 lead.
The final 15 minutes of the match were hectic with the Razorbacks throwing everything at Terrigal to bridge the gap, but the Trojans were able to hang on to record their third consecutive Premiership.
Best players for Terrigal were fullback Dan Sargeant, five-eight Adam Danckert, and forward Elekana Laupola, while the Razorbacks were best served by locks Josefa Biu and James Mann, and No.8 Rob Peden.
In the Premier 2 Grand Final, The Lakes secured a convincing win defeating Terrigal 29 points to 0.
The Lakes led 18 points to nil at half-time and continued to control the match in the second half posting 11 more points.
The Lakes fullback Alec Herridge, lock Chad Goodhand, and No.8 Zach Christensen all made major contributions to the victory.
In President’s Cup, Avoca Beach prevailed 16-8 over The Lakes.
Avoca Beach led by 16 points to 3 at half-time and while the Lakes crossed for a late try, they weren’t ever able to threaten the Sharks’ lead.
Best players for Avoca Beach were prop Miles Routledge, inside centre Dylan Hardaker and fullback Jono Hirst while The Lakes were best served by fullback Travis Vawdon and flanker Harry Pirini.
The Women’s 10’s Grand Final saw Avoca Beach record a 17 points to 7 victory over Terrigal.
Notwithstanding rainy, wet conditions, the quality of rugby was very high and the match intense and it was not until late in the second half that Avoca Beach was able to cross for its third try and put the result beyond doubt.
Renee Staben, Sharni Waters and Ebony Milgate had big gaes for Avoca Beach while Madelein Robinson, Emily Lufe and Sian George were strong for Terrigal.
Source:
Match Report, Sep 24
CCRU President, Larry Thomson