“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” That was Nic Souchon’s reply to whether he’d be fit for the grand final. The skipper’s had a rough time with injuries lately but he led his side from the front on Saturday, coming back to the fray and playing the full 80min to help dash Shirley’s hopes.

RAMS GO THROUGH TO MEET OLD BOYS IN FINAL 

JULY 20 2019 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY v SHIRLEY (SEMI-FINAL) At Lincoln: Lincoln University 12 (Sam Gilbert 4 pen) beat Shirley 9 (Cullen Moody 3 pen). HT: 9-6. Referee: Daniel Moore.  

The slushy pitch made playing “normal” rugby nigh on impossible. So it was down to front-rowers Souchon, Harrison Courtney, Fletcher Newell and latterly Troy Hallett to bear the brunt of the work to pull the Rams through.

What a heart-stopper the match was. Shirley first-five Cullen Moody missed a penalty goal attempt in the dying stages, pulling the ball left from a not hugely difficult position. Had he succeeded, the game would have almost certainly gone into extra time. Moody missed two of his five penalty goal shots while the ever reliable Sam Gilbert notched all four of his, three in the first half and the fourth with 10min to go.

Josh Bokser was typically dynamic and desperate in his approach for the Rams, coming off with a few minutes to go after giving his guts for the Rams. But all the forwards, including Glen Beardsley, who came on at No.8 in the last quarter, were heroes against a Shirley side that again showed how strong it can be. Rameka Poihipi, with Oscar Koller outside him, shone with his tracking back and tactical kicking, plus his direction of play close in. Koller, at second-five, made the only big break of the game, and it was hugely important for the Rams. No.7 Connor Gordon had earlier scared the defence with a sharp burst. 

John Borland used his straightforward approach to good effect, at No.8 and later in the No.6 jersey. Halfback Luke Donaldson kept his cool in trying conditions. His sniping runs from the base of rucks were highly valuable. His Shirley counterpart, former Rams player Cam Ravenwood, was a key player for his side. Rams centre PJ Latu, up from Premier Colts, had no chances on attack but he still left his mark on the game with a series of strong tackles, and general harrying of the Shirley backs. 

The Rams will meet Old Boys in the big final on Sunday. Old Boys beat New Brighton 19-18 in the other semi-final. LU might have preferred to play New Brighton. They’ve had the wood on the seasiders for a long time.