Calrossy breaks cup deadlock

The grand finals threw up some close results, none closer than the 16s final where even extra time couldn’t split Carinya and McCarthy.

McCarthy were declared the winner as first tryscorer in a game where both sides threw everything they had at one another, resulting in a contest that North West development manager Garry Walsh said Friday Night Rugby had never seen before. 

The two finished regular time at 22-all and such was the passion of both sides that after five minutes each way of extra time they still couldn’t be separated.

The 15s final was a similarly tight tussle.

Calrossy coach Barton Leach said it had been a great match-up between them and Farrer all competition with both beating each other on the bell to win by a point or two.

“This game was no different,” he said.

“Calrossy came out firing with the best start to a game they have had all year, but Farrer were able to weather the storm and did not let the strong Calrossy pressure get to them and were able to finally get out of their half after a barrage of pick and drive from the Calrossy forward pack and some fancy footwork from the backs.”

“Even though Calrossy had most of the possession and put a lot of pressure on Farrer, the Farrer fullback was able to split the defence and get over the line late into the first half.” That built some momentum for Farrer, Leach said, but they were able to hold them out to go into the break 5-nil down.

Calrossy levelled up the score early in the second half with a great try to flying winger Jacob Collier, after some tight work from the forwards through Blake Murphy and Riley Catts. 

But Farrer bounced back almost immediately and scored a try through their forwards. 

“Calrossy had some great close crash balls through captain Ben Grant and some outstanding ball work from Sam Gray edged the boys closer and closer to the try line,” Leach said.

“After some huge tackles and some great physical contact that even the Wallabies would shy away from, the skipper, leading by example, was able to come in from the backs and help the forward pack to get over the line with a great pick and drive to even the score up 10 all with only a minute to go.”

That left it on Pretorius’ boot.

Coverting tries hadn’t been their forte through the year, but Pretorius struck it well with his left boot and it sailed over the black dot to give Calrossy the win 12-10.

Calrossy also won a highly-entertaining primary final with both sides prepared to shift the ball to space, which resulted in some tremendous tries, 20-10.

The 13s final was a high-scoring affair with Farrer, who had dominated the division all year, running out victors 56-30.