CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION
GRAND FINAL
INDUSTREE GROUP STADIUM
SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER, 2023
PREMIER 1
Avoca Beach 17
Kye Tancred try;
Fionn Henderson-Foley 4 penalty goals
defeated
Razorbacks 16
Mackenzie Zammit try;
Ryan Fenning 3 penalty goals, 1 conversion
PREMIER 2
Terrigal 23
Tom Perrett, Todd Atkins, Reid Yarnold tries;
Reid Yarnold 2 penalty goals, 1 conversion
defeated
Razorbacks 17
Tane Tutaki 2 tries;
Edan Sirone 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal
PRESIDENT’S CUP
Razorbacks 21
Alifereti Joji 2 tries;
Dane Allen 2 penalty goals, 1 conversion;
Alifereti Joji 1 penalty goal
defeated
Terrigal 20
Jack Jenkins 2, Stephen Bright tries;
Kai Wheelock 1 penalty goal,
Jack Jenkins 1 conversion
WOMEN’S 10’s
Terrigal 36
Mia Barber 2, Sian George, Daisy McKeon, Madelein Robinson tries;
Mia Barber 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Avoca Beach 14
Bridie Cartwright, Grace Dabin tries;
Jaida Staben 2 conversions
REPORT :
The 2023 Grand Final day at Industree Group Stadium saw some wonderful games of rugby. It proved to be a great day of rugby, with matches played in excellent weather conditions. Obviously on the day there were great celebrations but also much disappointment of getting so close to victory.
In the Premier 1 Grand Final Avoca Beach hung on to record a Premiership victory, defeating the Razorbacks by the narrow margin of 17 points to 16. There was absolutely nothing in this match throughout.. It went point for point for the entire 80 minutes and neither team was able to take a decisive break on the other team on the scoreboard. Both teams found it very difficult to post points because of great defence from both sides. It proved to be a very dour struggle from start to finish. The first half was basically a penalty shoot out. It was intense and typical Grand Final rugby. Avoca Beach opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the 14th minute, but the Razorbacks were quick to respond with their own penalty goal two minutes later. A further penalty goal to each team made the score 6 all at the 33rd minute of the first half. The match was certainly going down to the wire. A penalty goal to Avoca Beach right on halftime gave them the lead by 9 points to 6 at the halftime break. The second half continued in much the same vein. It was hard fought rugby, intense with both teams giving it their all. At the midway point of the second half the scores were still tight with Avoca Beach maintaining the narrow lead of 12 points to 9. The Razorbacks grabbed the lead for the first time in the match when their prop Mackenzie Zammit crashed over for a try. This converted try took the Razorbacks to a 16 points to 12 lead in the 25th minute. However, Avoca Beach was not to be outdone. The regained the lead in the 33rd minute when their fullback Kye Tancred crossed for a try. Avoca Beach had jumped to the lead and this score of 17 points to 16 was to be the final score. The Razorbacks had a late chance to snatch the lead with a penalty goal but the kick went just wide of the posts. Best players for Avoca Beach were flanker Fionn Henderson-Foley, centre Alex Halls, and locks Matt Anderson and Michael Hobden. Best efforts for the Razorbacks were put in by flanker Rob Peden, centre Owen Turner and halfback Connor Peden. Avoca Beach had won the Premier 1 Premiership, and this year had thus secured both the Minor and Major Premierships. The Premier 1 Grand Final proved an exhilarating way to conclude the 2023 Central Coast Rugby Union season.
Terrigal secured a very tight victory in the Premier 2 Grand Final when they defeated the Razorbacks by 23 points to 17 after extra time. Terrigal were in control for most of the first half and did all the point scoring in the first half. They scored first early on and continued to attack for much of the first half. By halftime they led by 17 points to nil and even at that stage it seemed the result was secured. However, the second half was a far different story. The second stanza saw the Razorbacks score their own 17 points and at the end of normal time they had squared the match at 17 points apiece, forcing the match into extra time. Terrigal were able to control possession in this period of time and were able to kick a penalty goal in each half of extra time. It was certainly a gripping encounter and a match that could have gone either way. Best players for Terrigal were flanker Edward Bookallil and No.8 Will Shipton, while No.8 Sam Kearney proved strong for the Razorbacks. Terrigal has secured the Premier 2 Premiership.
The Razorbacks were able to win the President’s Cup Grand Final defeating Terrigal by 21 points to 20. The Razorbacks opened the scoring and then continued to be in control in the early stages of the match. In fact much of the first half saw the Razorbacks on the attack and by halftime had jumped to a handy 12 points to 8 lead. The Razorbacks always seemed in control but Terrigal kept coming back at them. The Razorbacks led by 18 points to 8 at the midway point of the second half. However Terrigal came surging home and despite a late minute try were denied victory by the single point. Best for the Razorbacks were winger Alifereti Joji, who crossed for 2 tries, and halfback Josh Holman, while lock Blake Cavanagh and winger Jack Jenkins played well for Terrigal. It was a well deserved Premiership for the Razorback’s President Cup team.
The Women’s 10’s Grand Final saw Terrigal record a 36 points to 14 victory over Avoca Beach. Terrigal opened the scoring with a converted try, and this 7 nil lead was soon followed up by another converted try. It was such a handy 14 points to nil lead early on. Avoca Beach responded late in the first half with their own converted try so Terrigal went to the halftime break leading by 14 points to 7. The match was definitely up for grabs at that stage. However, it was Terrigal who dominated the second half. They scored 22 points in the second half while Avoca Beach were only able to respond with the single converted try. A feature of the match was the 21 individual points posted by Terrigal’s Mia Barber.