IT hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Scone in the past but the Brumbies changed that Dangar Park hoodoo when they won Central North Rugby Union’s two Tier 2 premierships in Narrabri recently.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Scone Brumbies claimed their first silverware since joining the Central North competition, and celebrated double delight, taking out both the first and second grade Tier 2 premierships.
Seconds kicked things off, beating Gunnedah 18-15 with a try at the death.
Firsts then clawed back a 13-nil half-time deficit to edge out Walcha 23-20.
“After the disappointment of last year, it was a big turnaround winning two,” Brumbies captain Martin Feehan said.
He was referring to their minor semi-final loss to Narrabri there last year.
They haven’t had a lot of success at the ground, with firsts co-coach Ben McRae commenting after the win it was his and coaching counterpart Duncan Pinfold’s first-ever win at Narrabri either playing or coaching.
Feehan thought they got off to a bit of a slow start but, after “some strong words at half-time”, came out with a lot more purpose in the second half.
The big improvement was in their attitude.
“We lifted our intensity,” Feehan said.
The shift was noticeable almost from the whistle and a few minutes in they were on the board, with Murray Wilkinson scoring.
That was the turning point for them, Feehan felt.
“We built our momentum from there,” he said.
“We played with a lot of structure in the second half, which we didn’t have in the first half.”
The Rams though did make a late charge.
“I was getting a bit nervous,” Feehan said.
“But we didn’t panic and we played smart.”
Half-back Graham Flanagan was adjudged the player of the grand final.
McRae also thought the backrow of Wilkinson, Lourens LeGrange and Feehan were outstanding.
Five-eighth Michael Ruthven and Dale Robinson also had strong games.
The Brumbies effectively suffocated the Rams in the second half.
They didn’t really allow them any ball and played the territory game well.
“Every kick they did it was nice and long,” Rams coach Andrew Crawford said.
They knew it was coming but just couldn’t seem to do anything about it.
He thought one of the crucial moments was when half-back Soni Halanokanuka went down injured.
He was down for a few minutes, and the Brumbies exploited that and scored.
That changed the momentum, he said.
They were wounded before the whistle even blew and had only three on the bench.
That then became two when Sam Martin broke his arm less than 10 minutes into the game.
“We just couldn’t compete,” Crawford said.
“We were exhausted.”
It was also a good day for the home side, with the Blue Boars winning their first title in 10 years, and first premiership at home in 32 with a 25-19 win over Pirates.
CENTRAL NORTH GRAND FINALS
Dangar Park, Narrabri
TIER 1
First grade
NARRABRI 25 (Henry Curtin, Matt Schwager, Michael Cain tries, Cain 2pens, 2cons) d PIRATES 19 (Sam Bowden, Greg White tries, Andrew Moodie 3pens). Player of the grand final - Tim O’Brien (Narrabri).
Second grade
MOREE 13 (pen try, Nathan Holland 2pens, con) d PIRATES 9 (James Trappel 3pens). Player of the grand final - Ben Jackman (Moree).
TIER 2
First grade
SCONE 23 (Murray Wilkinson, John Maxwell, Dale Robinson tries, Graham Flanagan 2pens, con) d WALCHA 20 (Simon Newton, Nat Brazel tries, Newton 2pens, 2cons). Player of the grand final - Graham Flanagan (Scone).
Second grade
SCONE 18 (Zac Rahn, Paul McTaggart tries, Matthew O’Donnell 2pens, con) d GUNNEDAH 15 (Will McPhee 2 tries, Shane Lutze pen, con). Player of the grand final - Joseph Bridge (Scone).
