Shoals 3rd Grade played Camden in an epic grand final at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Shoals were trying to get two premierships in a row but in a tough, torrid and tense match they lost out to Camden in the dying moments of the game. Camden went to half time leading 14-13. Shoals then went to a 19-14 lead halfway through the second half with Camden tying up the score at 19-19 with 15 minutes left on the clock. They finished slightly stronger to score a last-minute try to win the match.
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In an exciting and even tussle Shoals took to the field with a large contingent of supporters urging them on. They roared into action in the opening phases with Ben Dennis and Joe Calcraft leading the charge. After forcing an error from Camden’s forwards in front of the posts, rangy lock, Jason Vaughan, slotted the penalty kick for a 3-0 lead.
Camden gained the ball from the restart and flew into action. With their forwards rampaging into the rucks and mauls they took play close to Shoals’ line. The ball was spun out to their winger who dived over for their first points. The conversion was successful and they held a 7-3 lead.
Shoals were next to strike a few minutes later. After a surging runs by Ben Dennis and Tim Murphy, Shoals gained a penalty and opted for a line kick. They won the lineout and quickly shoveled the ball out to Michael Dun in the centres who sliced through the defence for a great try. Vaughan was on target with the conversion and Shoals had the lead 10-7 after 15 minutes of play.
At the 20-minute mark Camden’s halfback tore around the blind side from a scrum 40 metres out, linked with his fullback who sped through a gap and then passed back to the half who raced over for a fine try. The conversion attempt was successful and Camden held a 4-point lead. Just on the half time whistle Vaughan again knocked over a penalty goal to take his team to just one-point adrift.
The second half was as good a half of finals rugby as it gets. Shoals went on constant attack for the first 15 minutes of the half. They went very close to scoring tries but were called back each time. Camden’s defensive shield was impregnable so Shoals opted for shots at penalty goals. They scored one of these at the 5 minute mark and another after 15 minutes to draw out to a 19-14 lead.
Camden then began their fightback. Using their forwards they marched play deep into Shoals’ territory. Then their backline clicked into action and after a series of switches their centre found a gap to race over for a try wide out. The conversion attempt hit the upright and swung away which left the scores at 19-19.
Shoals regained possession from the restart and mounted a stirring attacking raid. Camden held on and after gaining a series of penalties they swept play downfield. The last few minute of the match saw Shoals grimly clinging on as Camden exerted great pressure. The clock ticked down and with just a few seconds remaining Camden lifted to score the winning try through their speedy winger. Shoals had fallen just short on the scoreboard 24-19.
Shoals played a great game but this year fortune went against them. Now on to season 2019, the Rugby World Cup year.
