GRAND finals are supposed to deliver the best and that was certainly the case in yesterday’s Group 11 reserve grade decider with the Nyngan Tigers defeating Dubbo CYMS 22-20, thanks to a final minute penalty goal from halfback Matt Sheather.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The match was marred by delays and injuries, the most serious of which saw Nyngan centre Manasa Korokodinone taken to hospital in an ambulance with a suspected broken leg, but the Tigers used a huge amount of travelling support to their advantage and got over the line in the most thrilling circumstances.
Fullback Waisale Tora was another hero, scoring a hat-trick, as the Tigers won their first ever Group 11 title.
“It’s unreal, it means a lot to the town of Nyngan,” Tigers coach Troy Richards said after the match
“A lot of people might say it’s only reserve grade but it means a lot, you’ve only got to have a look at our spectators, we’ve got the best followers in Group 11.
“It was a really good game and we’ve got to thank CYMS for that, there were lots of stoppages and injuries but our boys kept going and showed a lot of heart and I’m very proud of them.”
After a game of so many twists and turns CYMS coach Joel Rapley was left shattered after the match, especially as his side led 16-8 at the break.
“It’s a bit disappointing, we were definitely in it at the end but it was a great game and well worthy of a grand final,” he said.
“There were a lot of stoppages from both teams and it was too stop-start for us, we wanted that flowing game but they were too good and full credit to them.”
The game started well for the Fishies with a perfect Corey Cox grubber planted down by centre Kyle Simmonds and CYMS led 6-0 after just four minutes.
Ten minutes later the Tigers struck back with Tora racing 40m for his first but CYMS extended their lead to 12-4 when Brayden Peachey crossed.
Tora had his second approaching halftime off the back of a penalty which resulted in Warren Peachey spending five minutes in the bin but CYMS regathered from the kickoff and a try to James Pomfret saw them up by eight at the break.
The Tigers were fired up after half-time and Tora soon had his third to make it 16-14 and then they hit the lead when Andrew Donovon scored.
There was a long delay as Korokodinone and Todd Edmunds both required lengthy injury treatment but CYMS locked it up when Simmonds crossed again out wide.
Cox missed the conversion and with the seconds ticking down the Tigers were awarded a penalty 40m out for a high shot.
Sheather showed no nerves and his conversion set the crowd into raptures.
“The boys kept going, they kept their heads up and it was a great effort,” Richards said.
“It’s unreal, a first premiership and one Nyngan are very deserving of.”
NYNGAN TIGERS 22 (Waisale Tora 3, Andrew Donovon tries; Matt Sheather 3 goals) defeated DUBBO CYMS 20 (Kyle Simmonds 2, Brayden Peachey, James Pomfret tries; Corey Cox 2 goals)
