GRAND FINAL 2019 OLD BOYS v LINCOLN UNIVERSITY At Rugby Park: Old Boys 34 (Mitchell Gibson, Robbie Polson 2, Josh Michael, Luke Glen tries; Jarred Percival 3 conv; Lupati Fikahi pen) beat Lincoln University 29 (PJ Latu, Connor Gordon, Jesse Houston, Harrison Courtney tries; Fletcher Morgan 3 conv, pen). HT: 12-29. Referee: James Munro.

JIM DOYLE REPORTS

They’ve been through hell and high water. During the season, they got knocked down and they got up again. And again. And again. And again. At times they’ve been on the bones of their arse just trying to muster a meaningful 22. But they made the grand final. 

Then came what seemed to be the cruellest twist. The Rams were shorn of playmaker Rameka Poihipi, ace goal-kicker Sam Gilbert and New Zealand under20 standout Cullen Grace because of pre-season commitments for Canterbury. How would you go? 

It was scarcely believable then when the Rams roared out to 22-0 in just over a quarter of the game. Old Boys hit back with a try but it came from a charged-down clearing kick rather than compelling play. And Harrison Courtney soon negated that in typical fashion as the Rams laid siege to the Old Boys line. Replacement back Robbie Polson, one of the best players for Old Boys, scored from a chip-kick 5min from half-time but the men in white were down 12-29 at the break. 

Not that they were overly dismayed. They came out pumped in the second half, putting the squeeze on and pretty much keeping it there. The Rams did make a staunch bid for victory in the dying minutes but things didn’t quite go their way. Then Old Boys were given a penalty 48m out. Centre Lupati Fihaki was given a crack with the boot and took an age to actually make contact with the ball as the clock ticked away to full-time. When he did kick it the ball sailed between the posts. 

Young PJ Latu scored the first try for the Rams 2min into the match, scything through off an Oscar Koller break. Fourteen minutes later Connor Gordon was over by the posts after a Koller chip was collected by Fletcher Morgan, sent on to Luke Donaldson and then to Gordon. 

Soon after Jesse Houston latched onto a long cut-out pass and beat the last defender to have the Rams in seventh heaven. Latu held his nerve on the big stage, taking his try expertly and tackling like a demon. He has a big future. Houston, like Latu, added key spot tackling to his skill set. 

Nic Souchon set the tone for his side with a series of smashing carries in the first half. The grunty John Borland took a lot of good lineout ball. Luke Donaldson ran the ship well from halfback and in the first half made a brilliant breakout from behind his own line. 

Quotable Quotes
Coach Alex Robertson: Proud of the boys? Who wouldn’t be proud? We had men out but we had to move on. The Rams stood up and did us proud. 

Captain Nic souchon: That’s finals footy for you. The momentum can swing every which way and it went away from us in the second half. I’m incredibly proud of these boys. 

Before the match, how did the Canterbury players feel about missing the final? Poihipi: It sucks. You play the whole season and you miss the big one. But I’m 100% behind the boys who are playing. 

Gilbert: Absolutely gutted. Grace: It’s gutting but I’m excited for the other boys. That’s the way it is. 

On the same subject: Manager Matt Lewis: You can only control the controllables. There‘s nothing you can do about it.

Of particular note, LU Rugby acknowledged the great service and dedication of Craig Kerr over the last seven years not only to rugby but to the university as a whole. We all wish him well in his future endeavours.