Newcastle University Rugby League Club Newcastle University Rugby League ClubPrevious encounters between these two sides had been spiteful affairs with the Mungoes convincing victors in the first round of the season but Newcastle proving too strong in the more recent major semi-final. The grudge looked set to continue on grand final day, with Newcastle's M. Langford making certain no love would be lost, engaging the Bathurst boys in a week-long war of words.
Originally planned for Leichhardt the match was transferred to McCredie Park which produced fairly ordinary conditions following four days of rain. Despite the wet conditions both sides produced a sizeable and lively crowd and ran out with the rain still falling, Newcastle to kick off.
From the first tackle – delivered by a superbly horizontal B. Philips - Newcastle displayed their power, intensity and determination. Five minutes later, after some destructive running from M. Burke, W. Bullock and L. Duncombe Bathurst concede a cheap penalty close to their own line. From the ensuing tap restart front-rower W. Bullock produces a characteristic charge, breaking through the defence to score first points, the try going unconverted (4-0).
Newcastle backed up their attacking prowess with some brutal defence, most notably from A. Cavellaro, W. Bullock and M. Langford, softening the Bathurst forwards and forcing a mistake centre field. More big metres from M. Burke and W. Bullock put the boys into strong attacking position, a position five eighth M. Jacobsen was able to capitalise on with a brilliant shimmy and blind pass to put L. Duncombe through a gaping hole in the Bathurst defence in the 12th minute to score the team's second try. It was subsequently converted from out wide by T. Campbell, putting Newcastle ahead by 10-0.
The contest began to heat up with strong defence from both sides. However, while Newcastle was able to maintain their intensity and discipline, Bathurst was not, making numerous mistakes in attack and defence as they began to tire. After several high tackles a Bathurst forward was sin binned in the 28th minute as the wet weather continued to dominate play.
A player down and defending their own line, the Mungoes could not hold out against the repeated seahorse onslaught. Bathurst finally broke again after L. Duncombe and M. Jacobsen produce a great improvised backline movement, ending with a text book draw and pass from B. Phillips to put consummate finisher B. Belfield over in the corner. The sideline conversion is unsuccessful (14-0).
In the shadows of halftime and Newcastle again on the attack, M. Langford is involved in an embarrassing if not uneventful scuffle, landing him in the sin bin. This produces a brilliant response from Newcastle coach G. O'Dell, sending impact forward D. Burrell onto the field who after several big hits, leaves the Bathurst players rattled and praying for the halftime whistle. With the referee obliging, Newcastle head into the sheds having comprehensively outplayed their opponents in the first half.
In the second half Newcastle picked up where they left off, attacking from the kick-off with some big metres from the forwards and a great kick-chase leading to a Bathurst mistake in good field position. The next plays saw impact man D. Burrell producing arguably the best individual effort of the game, breaking free of several tacklers to score from over 20m out. The conversion was again unsuccessful (18-0).
After a brilliant 40 minutes and getting out to a strong lead, the seahorses took their foot of the accelerator and began to look complacent. This saw the Bathurst forwards take advantage of some soft seahorse defence, making easy metres through midfield and eventually crashing over. Conversion unsuccessful (18-4).
After twenty see-sawing minutes Newcastle again began to dominate possession and field position though some strong forward running and well executed backline movements. Another try seemed inevitable and eventually came through a barnstorming run from front-rower M. Burke ignoring an overlap to force his way over out wide. Whether his positioning in the backline was a result of brilliant vision or plain exhaustion is a matter of opinion. The conversion again was unsuccessful (22-4).
Following the kick restart and a soft piggy-back penalty up the field, a demoralised Bathurst team held on to a glimmer of hope, raiding the seahorse line out wide with some good ball movement. B .Belfield did a brilliant job to hold the ball up, but his efforts were ignored by the referee who gave the benefit of the doubt to the Mungoes. Conversion unsuccessful (22-8).
The Seahorses spent the remainder of the game toying with their opposition with some great kick chases and ball movements. Good desperation was shown by Bathurst to hold Newcastle out and keep the crowd interested in the otherwise one-sided game (with the possible exception of the previously vocal "Mungo corner" which had exiled itself by the end of the match). The final result was predictable from 10 weeks out: a comfortable Seahorse victory (22-8).
In post match honours, the player of the match was an obvious choice. After scoring an individual try, topping the tackle, hit-up and metre counts the honour was given to front-row forward William Bullock, who later probably topped the beer count as well. Other notable performances included A. Cavallaro from fullback, with strong defensive performances from centres B. Philips and J. Cruikshank and substitutes M. Langford, C. Grant, T. Kocek and D. Burrell. The victory was a true team effort and with the exception of standout performances from W. Bullock and M. Irwin, the player of the match honour could have been shared between a number of players. This is a reflection of the great team preparation in the lead up to the game from coach O'Dell
Other honours went to captain M. Irwin who, despite a brilliant individual game and captain's knock and being carried from the field by the boys, was later awarded the infamous "shandy of shame" for his 19th minute "double tap", putting W. Bullock offside and resulting in a penalty in possession.
Highlights of the ensuing three days of celebrations are rumoured to have included:
Special thanks go out to G. O'Dell, who after guiding the Seahorses to victory in 2008 and twenty years of service to the club was recognised with the naming of the perpetual "Clubman of the Year" trophy in his honour. More thanks to all the Old Boys, families and friends that supported us both on grand-final day and throughout the year. From a player's point of view there is a lot more to play for when there is a crowd of your mates, families and past seahorse legends there to cheer you on. Finally to all the Seahorses of 2008, it was a long season and could not have been either as successful or enjoyable without each of you. See you next year for more of the same.
C. Gabrielides, with editing and bias from Mathew Langford
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