CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION RESULTS
GRAND FINAL
WOY WOY OVAL
SATURDAY, 16th SEPTEMBER, 2017
PREMIER 1
Terrigal 39
Josh Vainikolo 3, Daniel Sargeant, Joe Taylor tries;
Adam Danckert 4 conversions, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Ourimbah 11
Josefa Biu try;
Ryan Fenning 2 penalty goals
PREMIER 2
Terrigal 25
Liam Caulfield, Aaron Tait, Cam Silis tries;
Aaron Tait 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Ourimbah 10
Anthony Eriksson try;
Ryan Pike 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
PRESIDENT’S CUP
Ourimbah 22
Jim Holt, Brett Marchant, Ryan Keegan tries;
Jim Holt 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Gosford 10
Sean Anlezark try;
Damien Montgomery 1 conversion, 1 penalty goal
UNDER 19’s
Avoca Beach 18
Isaiah Fairless, Connor Kondrat tries;
Isaac Barnes 1 conversion, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Kariong 3
Tyson Potger 1 penalty goal
REPORT :
The Central Coast Rugby Union Grand Final at Woy Woy Oval saw Terrigal win the Premier 1 Premiership when they defeated Ourimbah by 39 points to 11. In a match played before a large crowd, Terrigal secured their second successive top grade Premiership.
Played in ideal conditions, with an occasional gusty breeze, both teams commenced the match with a display of very tight rugby in the opening 10 minutes. It was typical Grand Final rugby where no quarter was given or asked for. Very little happened on the scoreboard during this period as both teams were putting each other to the complete test. Both teams did have some opportunity to post points but it was not to be until the 15th minute when Terrigal opened the scoring with a great try to No.8 Josh Vainikolo. A break down the short side saw Vainikolo cross wide out. Ourimbah were very quick to respond, and their five-eight Ryan Fenning kicked a penalty goal in the 19th minute to make the score 5-3. It was proving a see-sawing battle at this stage with both teams having excellent periods of attack, while also displaying some very strong defence. Terrigal five-eight Adam Danckert kicked Terrigal’s first penalty goal in the 23rd minute to further increase their lead to 8 points to 3. Once again Ourimbah responded with their own penalty goal to make the score 8-6. The match appeared to be going as expected – to be close and to be anybody’s match. Both teams were playing well. It was certainly an arm wrestle, with both teams attempting to get that vital break on the other team. Ourimbah did miss two shots at penalty goal in the first half, and that did deny them the lead in the match at this stage. The second half continued in much the same vein. However, it was Terrigal who were first to score in this half as well. In the 9th minute Terrigal lock Joe Taylor completed an effective session of forward attack with a try adjacent to the posts. The conversion of this try had taken Terrigal to a handy 15 points to 6 lead. It was only 8 minutes later that Terrigal would have even felt comfortable to some extent. This was when their No.8 Josh Vainikolo crossed for his second and his team’s third try. They had jumped to a good lead of 22 points to 6 with only a quarter of the match remaining. They would have felt comfortable but would also have had thoughts of the Major Semi-final when Ourimbah came from well behind to grab the victory. However it was not to happen in this match. At the 25th minute mark Josh Vainikolo crossed for his third try, and Terrigal were now in the box seat with a 29 points to 6 lead. Terrigal had several very good players in the Grand Final. Five-eight Adam Danckert, the ‘Player of the Grand Final’, directed traffic all day, and was an excellent link between the forwards and his outside backs. Josh Vainikolo had a great day, crossing for 3 individual tries, while fellow forwards Sam Kenny and Alex Brewin were never far from the action. The depth in the Terrigal squad really did come to the fore and all their replacements during the match made their mark. The backline was most effective. They were dangerous with the ball and regularly got over the advantage line. Ourimbah gave it their all but it was not to be their day. Flanker Jarrod Grange was in everything and tried to break through all day. He was well supported by halfback Matt King who was a driving force for his team. Both these players were setting a fine example for the remainder of their team. Terrigal cemented the victory with a penalty goal to Adam Danckert and an intercept try to winger Dan Sargeant to cap off a memorable victory for them. Ourimbah did score their only try close to fulltime but it was all too late. It was a most dominant performance by the Terrigal team and they certainly proved they were the dominant team in Premier 1 this year. After their loss in the Major Semi-final, after what was an undefeated season proper, they came out to prove that their only loss was an apparition. They certainly proved that. These two teams were the best in Premier 1 all year, but it was Terrigal who came out as Major Premiers.
Terrigal defeated Ourimbah in the Premier 2 Grand Final by 25 points to 10. This encounter was an intense affair from start to finish. The lead in the match chopped and changed in this match right through to the early stages of the second half. Ourimbah opened the scoring with a penalty goal, but a converted try to Terrigal saw them take the lead by 7 points to 3. However by halftime Ourimbah were again back in the lead when they scored their own converted try. Ourimbah led at halftime by 10 points to 7 and it seemed it was going to be a close struggle in the second stanza. However it did not really come out that way. Terrigal took control in large part in the second half and were able to post a further 18 points to 0 in that half. They took the lead early in the second half and continued on with a further try after that. It was a pleasing win for the Terrigal side but Ourimbah did extend them for an extended time in this match. Best for Terrigal were half back Aaron Tait, who posted a personal tally of 15 points, prop Liam Caulfield and flanker Dave Crawford. Tait was awarded Player of the Grand Final status. Ourimbah had several strong performances. Best for the Ourimbah team were flanker Jack Sheean, No.8 Chris Smith, five-eight Toby Carver, and centres Anthony Eriksson and Jack Stonestreet. The win to the Terrigal Premier 2 team capped off a wonderful season for the Terrigal club, winning the top two grades on Grand Final Day.
In another close match, Ourimbah did gain success when they won the President’s Cup Grand Final, defeating Gosford by 22 points to 10. The first half was a very even encounter with nothing between the two teams, but it was Ourimbah who went to the halftime break leading by 10 points to 3. Gosford led early though a penalty goal, but a converted try and penalty goal to Ourimbah jumped them to the lead. This match was played in very warm conditions and it was having an effect on the players. Ourimbah went further ahead early in the second half and with a lead of 17 points to 3 things did look comfortable for them. Ourimbah were playing with passion and everything Gosford tried was coming to nothing. Gosford did score midway through the half to make the score 17-10, and being only a converted try behind, things became intense late in the half. However the match was sealed by Ourimbah with a late try. Best for Ourimbah were halfback Ryan Keegan, who was Player of the Match, props Jade McLaughlin and Jim Holt, and No.8 Brett Marchant. Gosford tried everything and were led very well around the paddock by Adam Carlisle and Andrew Moseley.
Avoca Beach defeated Kariong in the Under 19 Grand Final by 18 points to 3. Like the President’s Cup match the Minor Premier, Kariong, was defeated in this encounter. This match proved typical Grand Final rugby. It was an intense, spirited, and it was all about working towards a win though controlled rugby. There was absolutely nothing for much of the first half and the only points scored in the first half was a penalty goal to Avoca Beach. They went to the break leading by 3 points to nil. The second half saw Avoca Beach cross for two unanswered tries and were able to go on to victory. Avoca Beach played controlled rugby throughout the match while Kariong, through several indiscretions, were never able to get on the go forward. Best for Avoca Beach were ‘Player of the Match’ prop Tim Newton, lock Justin Gilmore, and centres Isaac Barnes and Mick Hobden. Kariong were best served by lock Lachlan Peruch, hooker Lachlan Seaman and five-eight Ben Flakus. It was a second successive Premiership in this grade for Avoca Beach, who were able to cap off some excellent late season form with this win.