ARMIDALE executed a well-devised game plan to clinch the New England premiership at Bellevue Oval on Saturday but had to endure a late surge from St Albert’s.
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The Blues saved their best to last to prevail 20-17 in a gripping and entertaining grand final that will probably be remembered as much for Albies’s decision to forgo a penalty shot that could have sent the game into extra time as Armidale’s triumph.
With less than a minute remaining and trailing by three, the students were awarded a penalty from almost in front.
But to the surprise of many, they went for a quick tap and the win. It backfired when after about four phases they knocked on.
Take nothing away from the Blues though. They deserved the victory.
They knew what they had to do and they did it.
“We got it right at the right time,” a delighted Blues coach Alan Jones said.
It was without question their best performance of the season.
“I’ve always felt that given the right set of circumstances and sticking to our structure, we could at least match it with Albies,” he said.
In some ways, they played Albies’ game.
They were ferocious at the breakdown, defended brilliantly, and showed a real willingness to run the ball.
That was by design.
“We were determined we weren’t going to kick it unless we had to,” Jones said.
They wanted to make Albies really work in defence, which is something they haven’t had to do a lot, and really challenge them at the advantage line.
“They’ve played all year off front football,” he said.
“I haven’t see any side put them under pressure.”
Like they did in the semi-final last week, the Blues scored early, with five-eighth Jason Hiscox crossing after they had spun the ball wide and almost gone in out on the right.
Only Tom Scott coming across in cover stopped them.
Matt Croft converted for a 7-nil lead just over five minutes in.
Albies saw little ball in the first 15 minutes and made the most of their first real entry into their 22, with second-rower Mitch Wheaton carrying the Blues’ defence over the line.
It came after the Blues had prevented half-back Matt Houlahan scoring but then muffed the lineout and been penalised for holding on.
Skipper Sam Clements took it quickly and found Wheaton, who did the rest.
James Perrett added the extras to make it 7-all.
After he then missed a long-range penalty attempt, Blues second-rower Alex Smith crashed over after a great run from centre Vinnie Moran.
He was a handful all game and dragged several Albies defenders with him before offloading to Smith for a 12-7 lead, which they carried into the break.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first, with the Blues dominating territory and possession.
But this time the points weren’t forthcoming and Perrett was able to close the gap to two midway through the half.
The Blues kicked out again, with flanker Gavin Hughan crossing after Josh Croft had shown good strength in the tackle and been able to get the offload away to Hughan despite the attention of a couple of Albies’ defenders.
It was unconverted though, leaving Albies within striking distance and causing a bit of discomfort for the Blues supporters and Jones.
“We know what strikepower they have out wide and the way they can capitalise on our mistakes,” Jones said.
His concern was justified when, with four minutes to go, breakaway Joe Masters cut back inside close to the ruck and scored, and Perrett added the extras to lock the game up again.
But the Blues put the pressure back on Albies and they were caught holding on, giving Croft the chance to kick them back into the lead, which he did.
