IN front of a large crowd and on a day tailor made for rugby, the Dubbo Rhinos retained the Graincorp Cup (Northern Division) with a hard-fought 17-8 win over the Yeoval Eagles at Recreation Ground, Yeoval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Supporters were treated to an exciting game from the opening whistle. The sides went at each other from the start and the defences caused a number of dropped balls and little attacking flair from both sets of dangerous backs.
The final 10 minutes against Trangie the weekend before, when the Rhinos stoutly defended their line with only 13 men, must have rubbed off this week against a team renowned for its own defensive capabilities.
The first score came in the eighth minute when Eagle fullback Matt Gersbach converted a penalty from almost in front.
Even at this early stage the Rhinos were dominating the scrums and lineouts, forcing the Eagle backs onto the back foot; unlike the previous meeting when they ran riot.
The premiers replied with a 33rd minute try to inside centre, Kade Goodwin. Typically, he had to weave his way to the line but he has become a master of deception from closer in.
Halfback Chris Hobson booted the conversion and the teams went to the sheds with the visitors leading 7-3.
The second half had barely begun when lock Scott Francis muscled over from close to the line to extend the lead to 12-3.
Eagle danger man Jason Farrelly had a number of chances but Rhino outside centre Ricky Weatherall, and wingers Rob Davy and John Hausia were always on hand to break up any attack.
Meanwhile, the packs battered themselves almost to a standstill and neither side was able to take the ascendency in loose play until the 58th minute when prop Anton Kainuku scored one of the most popular tries of the season in what may be his final game of rugby.
This blew the score out to 17-3 and one side of the ground became very quiet. But, with 20 minutes remaining and playing on their home ground in front of their passionate supporters, it was too early to think of victory laps.
Then, in the 68th minute, the game suddenly tightened up when Eagle centre, Josh Lees, scored a try out wide. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and at 17-8 the Eagles needed two scores to win.
The final period was a battle of attrition with both coaches using their benches, but when referee Mawbey blew full-time the black and gold faithful erupted and the trophy was making its way back to the Westside Hotel shelf.
There were many standouts on the Rhinos team but every member, including those on the bench who did not make it onto the paddock, should be well satisfied with their performance throughout the season.
Highlights included Kainuku snr's try and all-round performance in the tight, Kainuku jnr's general play for the full 80, the powerful running of Scott Francis, the brilliance of Chris Bellhouse, Chris Daley's vision, and Kade Goodwin and Ricky Weatherall's powerful defence.
However, by far the best player for the winners was coach Darren Taylor. From balancing and maintaining a full squad in a one-team competition; no easy task, to having a full squad of 25 on grand final day was a fine achievement and he should ultimately take a good slice of the victory cake.
One other group deserves an accolade. The Rhinos' supporters.
Labelled "ferals" by elements of the home crowd, borne out of frustration, our mob was brilliant with coloured hair, face jewellery, and flags.
It is appropriate to add at this point the Dubbo Rhinos are totally behind the proposal to re-construct rugby within the zone. While the idea of a two-team, second-tier competition is being considered and, we want to move forward and away from a single-team, small-town competition, as it is today.
So, perhaps we may not meet our 2015 opponents again, or for some time at least, and you can all go back to being small town teams. However, on behalf of our club at least, please consider the proposals as they come forward and think of the growth of rugby as a first option.