FOOT TO THE FLOOR FOR FOUR OUT OF FOUR
Hawkins Metro Premier Trophy Final 2018 - Lincoln University 26 New Brighton 7
At Rugby Park: Lincoln University 26 (Connor Garden-Bachop, Mitch Dunshea tries; Brett Cameron 2 conv, 4 pen) beat New Brighton 7 (Jordan French try; Stefan Moir conv). HT: 20-0. Referee: Kane McBride.
What is it about Lincoln University and New Brighton? The Rams laid 14 tries on the seasiders in two previous contests. They managed only two on Sunday but a 26-7 win in a grand final is convincing, especially since Brighton’s points came in the last seconds. Yet Brighton were good enough to make the final.
Lincoln head coach Bevan Sisson had a compelling take on it. “Brighton are really physical and like to feed off mistakes,’’ he said. “So you just don’t give them the ball and there’s no plan B for them.”
Sisson said key areas were the back of the Brighton scrum and in midfield. The Rams didn’t punish the Brighton scrum quite as much as in previous games. But they kept Aaron McCoy bottled up and did the same to Brighton’s Scotland international, No.12 Phil Burleigh.
“Keep them under pressure and they don’t have a lot of other options,” said Sisson. “You could say we strangled them out of it.”
Sisson was surprised that when Brighton won the toss they gave first use of the wind to the Rams. “We’d have taken the wind,’’ he said. “It did die in the second half although we still found it hard to get out of our area in that time. I said it was a 20-point wind and we achieved that.”
Sisson agreed with Ben Morris’s after-match comment about hitting Brighton in the first 20min. And they did that, notching their two tries within 16min. “The thing was, don’t let the crowd into it,’’ said Sisson.
Gold-clad Brighton supporters were there in their droves, as usual if the seasiders are in a final, and managed to stay merry despite the tide running against them until the death, when they went mad.
Sisson had special praise for three young players _ Connor Gordon, Connor Garden-Bachop and Cullen Grace. “They’ll be really dangerous with more experience, “ he said.
He was amazed at the cool approach of Grace, who is in his first year out of school. “He goes on the big stage and it’s like another day at the office for him,” said Sisson.
Brighton coach Scott Pawson was succinct in his summation. “They (the Rams) are like the Crusaders,” he said. “They’re just too clinical. They keep beating you to the punch.”
Pawson illustrated his comment by referring to the opening try, scored by Garden-Bachop. Brighton lost control of the ball wide on their left and just out from their 22m line. Garden-Bachop was through in a flash and away for the try.
“We knew we had to play for 80min,” said Pawson. “We managed maybe 25.”
ALL THE YOUNG DUDES GIVE BRIGHTON THE BLUES
Jack Stratton might have a career as a stand-up comic after his rugby one is over.
The imposing halfback was droll and cool as a cucumber when he took the microphone in front of the Rugby Park stand as he accepted the Player of the Day award.
Beforehand, on the field, he was also full of assurance as he tormented Brighton with his running game and his kicking game as well as distributing the ball with his usual panache.
His Crusader mate, Mitch Dunshea, was like a beast from hell for Brighton. Smashing on the carry and crashing on the tackle, he made a huge impact on the game.
A third Canterbury representative, Brett Cameron, was also highly influential. His darting runs at the defensive line rattled the seasiders, he pulled off tackles against much bigger opponents, and he emulated Stratton with his tactical kicking. As well, he landed every goal he attempted, including two penalties into the breeze in the second half.
The cry “Troyser” went up from the Lincoln bench often as Troy Hallett ripped into it like a demon. The tighthead prop wins the Ironman award for playing in all 18 matches of the season.
John Borland, although again subbed off in a tactical switch at the end of the third quarter, was again worth his weight in gold, along with midfielder George Stratton. They join Hallett in the Ironman stakes.
The whole Lincoln pack deserve plaudits, not least for when they turned a driving maul into a pick-and-go siege on the Brighton line for the second try, 16min into the match.
Connor Garden-Bachop snatched the first try to plant the first arrow into Brighton’s heart and kept threatening on the right wing.
Brighton’s try in the last seconds was the best of the game. The forwards did convincing lead-up work before the backs came up with precise play to free Jordan French on the left. They didn’t get near that sort of quality in the previous 239min they’d played against the Rams this season.
No.7 Troy Mangan, who didn’t play in the earlier matches, was the best Brighton player. Lock Boris van Bruchem and No.6 Ryan Newman could also hold their heads high.
MVP: Jack Stratton 3, Mitch Dunshea 2, Brett Cameron 1.
LU Rugby would also once again like to acknowledge the sterling efforts of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Metro Rugby and their committee, the referees and officials for their efforts throughout the year administrating the game and to Hawkins for their continued support of Metro Rugby.
We acknowledge the tremendous work that goes into running a rugby team and a rugby club and would like to thank the RAMS management and their families; Coaches Bevan Sisson and Ben Blair, Manager Scott Eustace, Trainer Richard Deuchrass, Physiotherapist Ethan Horne, Video Analyst Sam Dobson and Logistics and Master of Ceremonies Craig Kerr.
A big thanks also to the LU Rugby Committee, who's work in planning for 2019 has begun, and to the staff at the Recreation Centre for their support. New Zealand Cricket ground staff once again were invaluable in keeping the grounds open for training and preparing top quality fields each week. The catering staff for keeping the teams feed throughout the year and all the supporters, parents and family that came and made heaps of noise for the Lincoln teams each week.
LU Rugby and the RAMS are very grateful for the weekly match reports from our roving reporter Jim Doyle. His style and analysis of the matches is second to none and we would like to say a huge thanks to him.
And finally to all our sponsors who have generously supported the 2018 campaign. Te Whariki Lincoln Subdivision, Blakelys Construction, Kerry Robb Property Services, Canterbury Teamwear, T L Parker Communications, Pub Charity, Four Winds, Sportsmed, Motus, Powerade, Lone Star and Joes Garage and of course Lincoln University and the staff at the Rec Centre.
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