COLTS INTO GRAND FINAL
In a hard and exciting match, the reigning 1st grade Colts Premiers defeated Eastern Suburbs 32-26 at Forshaw Rugby Park on Sunday and will now defend their title against last year’s opponents Sydney University next Sunday at Concord Oval.
Behind 12-0 after the early minutes of the match, the Woodies Colts defended desperately to repel the fired up Beasties from putting further points on the board.
A classical backline move saw winger Mark Frost an unconverted try in the corner to reduce the margin to 12-5 before injury forced half Mick Snowden from the field. He was replaced by the experienced Tom Vidot.
Winger Mark Frost kicked an acute penalty goal to further reduce Eastern Suburb’s lead to 12-8 when the Beastie’s flanker Chris Hitch was sin-binned for a late tackle.
Eastwood took advantage of East’s being a man down when fullback Nathan Brecht swept in for a try after the Woods won a crucial lineout and moved the ball quickly to the backs. Mark Frost kicked the conversion to go to the lead 15-12.
Just on half time, centre Matthew Saunders scored under the posts with Frost adding the extras for Eastwood to go to the break 22-12 in front.
Immediately after the re-start Eastern Suburbs winger Pat Smith scored an exciting length of the field try from a dropped ball on Easts 22 metre line which he toed through and followed-up with another kick and chase. Warwick Percival kicked the conversion to reduce Eastwood’s margin to 22-19.
With both sides desperate to win Wood’s centre Matthew Saunders scored his second try for the match after some sustained pressure in the Eastern Suburb’s half. The conversion shaved the uprights to leave the score at 27-19.
A clearing kick from fullback Brecht was charged down by East’s Warwick Percival who re-gathered and went on to convert his own try to make it 27-26 and give the Beasties a sniff of victory with ten minutes on the clock.
With moments left in the match fullback Nathan Brecht put the match beyond doubt when he scored his try for Eastwood to defeat Eastern Suburbs 32-26.
Both the 1st grade Colts and Under 19 teams will contest their Grand Finals next Sunday at Concord Oval.
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