Nathan Blacklock brings down Adrian Vowles late in Saturday’s legends game in Armidale. 160313GRG08
AFTER seven years of hurt the Blues finally got one back for NSW in Armidale on Saturday night.
The Professionals Legends of League at the Armidale Sportsground wasn’t exactly the State of Origin but coach Max Krillich will take any success he can.
The Servies Blues beat the Moxon’s Maroons 36-10 with Greg Florimo bagging a try double, but Krillich was pleased with all of his players, even those who never played at the highest level.
“We had a good side,” Krillich said.
“I think it was a better one this year.
“But I also think the guys who paid to play went really well for us.
“We’re here for the community and the guys from Armidale went really well.”
The Blues led 12-nil after Florimo slipped through the Queensland defence for the first of his tries and local product Dean Widders finished the next four-pointer.
It was 18-nil after Aaron Raper crossed and John Hopoate added the extras and the Maroons were shell-shocked.
But they fought back with a try to Adrian Vowles to make it 18-6.
The try of the night went to another Armidale product, Dennis Moran, who was on the end of a brilliant team effort, started by a David Peachey intercept.
He sprinted down the left wing before kicking in-field where Matt Geyer gathered it in, passed to Raper, who in turn found Moran on the right flank.
That interupted Queensland’s comeback but Justin Loomans got another one back for the Maroons when he crossed in the left corner.
The Blues were still in command at 24-10 but to complete the job Florimo ran in his second and in the final minute of the match, such was the NSW dominance, that even the local ball boy was given a run and sprinted almost the length of the field to give NSW its 36-10 scoreline.
It was a nice result considering the pain inflicted by the Queenslanders at Origin level over the past seven years, but Krillich hopes that will turn around this year.
“We hope so,” he said.
“And definitely think it will.
“Queensland has had the best three or four players in the world, but it can change and we have to play better as a team.
“Theree’s been nothing in it and they’ve had the luck with the referees.
“We need a bit of luck, but I think we will do it.”
The legends were involved in a range of activities since the first players arrived on Thursday.
The event is a fundraiser for the Armidale hospital and players visited the hospital on Thursday. They also held a dinner at the Servies club on Friday night, part in the Autumn Festival parade on Saturday and some are staying in town for today’s Armidale Cup races.