MATCH REPORT - SOUTH COAST RUGBY TENS

28th March 2009

Whales make the Final but Sharks win bragging rights.

The old adage that inches win and lose football games could be applied to the final of the pre-season Tens tournament played at Dalmeny at the weekend when local teams Bermagui-Cobargo and the Narooma Sporting and Services Club Whales went head to head in the final.

At the end of a long day of Rugby both teams were unbeaten and bragging rights were up for grabs. The Sharks had beaten Batemans Bay 10-5, Bega/Milton 20 -5 and Broulee 25-0. They also had a decent rest, as the Whales semi-final was later in the day. The Whales defeated Broulee 20-0, Braidwood 25-0 and Batemans Bay 15-0 so both teams were in form for the final match.

The Whales hit their straps early and took an early 14-0 through tries by Tyrone Thomas and Anthony Terare, both converted by Tyrone.  However, the Sharks fought back and began to put the Whales under pressure at the break downs and in the set pieces and scored three unanswered tries by Daniel Jubb and Ben Parsons. At the break the Sharks led 17-14.

At the start of the second half the Whales started well and secured a good possession from the kick off. After re-cycling the ball for several rucks the ball was sent wide. With a two-man overlap the Whales looked set to outflank the Sharks to overtake them on the scoreboard but Daniel Allen took the odds to an intercept. He used his height to gather in the ball on his fingertips to race away for a try against the run of play. An example of inches winning games.

The game was now an uphill battle for the Dalmeny based side but they did not give up. Scrapping for possession they continued to dominate territory but too often poor decision making cost them chances. Running one out, too often players were isolated and turned over possession. Running too high some players were held up at the maul and either had the ball stripped or lost possession. Running instead of passing when the break was on also allowed the Sharks to number up in defence and effect turnovers.

Inevitably the Sharks scored from a turnover. It was a long-range try but Daniel Allen has long legs and is hard to stop when he is into his stride. Both of the Shark’s kicks at goal in the second half were unsuccessful but the Sharks still led 31-14 with ten minutes to go. The visitors looked home and hosed.

Never say day the Whales threw everything they had at the Sharks and Max Taleo started to steal lineout ball that the Bermagui club would have expected to win. After another Vanuatu burgle at the front of the line, stalwart Kyle Burnell finally managed to burst through the middle of the tiring defence to score under the posts with five minutes to go. Kick good the game was back on at 31-21

Inevitably the Sharks began to wobble. The psychic energy was with the home team and the crowd began to get behind them. Penalties and poor discipline cost the Sharks territory and the ball. Max won at the lineout again and new boy Steven Byrnes fought his way to the try line to breathe life into the last few minutes. Another good kick by Tyrone 31-28. Seconds to go.

From the restart the Whales pressured the Sharks in the air and forced a knock on. Last scrum. Tyrone at half-back elected to go right he took the ball to line and with the defence marking up well he angled a grubber kick through for Jake Spears to chase. Jake beat his man and looked set to score but the in goal area is short at Dalmeny and the ball kept rolling end over end. In almost slow motion Jake dived despairingly as the ball bounced over the dead ball line. Six inches the gap between a legendary fight back and the Whales being honourable runners up. Final score 31-28.