The Inglewood Roosters and their large crowd of supporters will be crowing long and loud after winning back to back Border League grand finals last Saturday against arch rival the Stanthorpe Gremlins.
Although undefeated in any fixture since the middle of last season the Roosters were made to fight all the way for their title. The Gremlins played arguably their best game all season and midway through the first half they seemed to have the measure of their opponents. The Roosters got away to a nervous start and Stanthorpe took full advantage. Gremlins halfback Sam Dowie drew first blood when he scored in the corner giving his captain a difficult conversion attempt. The Gremlins led four nil after only five minutes of game time and the large contingent of fans that made the trip to Inglewood were giving them plenty of moral support.
There has been little between the two sides all season and it was not long before the BRL’s leading try scorer Brent Hearne crossed. With the kickers from both sides off their mark the score was locked at four all.
The arm wrestle continued with the Gremlins looking to have the ascendency but just unable to convert it into points.
A runaway try to Roosters Brent Osborne relieved the pressure on the home side and with a successful conversion they led 10-4.
Gremlins prop Leon Karena was forced from the field suffering back spasm and Cameron Robazza came off the bench. Robazza immediately inserted himself into the game. Shortly after following a bruising run he forced his way across the line to take the score to 10-8. Jason Wilmot found his kicking range and with 10 minutes on the time clock it was 10-10.
The next points came from a Jason Cobon try down the right flank and the difficult conversion was made look easy as the Gremlins took a 16-10 lead.
The Roosters were able to hold out a sustained attacking raid from the Gremlins and on the back of some solid work up the middle from Roosters forward pack Sam Martin scooted over for a try.
Matt Gainey failed to convert from wide out and the Gremlins held a two-point advantage at half-time with the scores at 16-14.
While the Gremlins coach Paul Harvey was keen for his side to stick to their game plan at half-time Roosters captain coach Matt Gainey served up a fair sized spray to his players of what was on the line.
The tough love obviously worked because the Roosters looked a different side from the moment they ran on to the field in the second half.
A Gremlins dropped ball was quickly swooped on by the home side and after some good work from Matt Price, Gainey was over close to the posts. He easily converted his own try to put the Roosters ahead 20-16. With less than a converted try the difference the game was still anyone’s for the taking.
From the kick off the Roosters put the ball down giving possession back to the Gremlins. Not to be denied the Gremlins captain Jason Wilmot crashed over to make it 20 all. Wilmot failed to convert his try and with 20 minutes left on the clock it was 20-20.
Consistent Roosters centre Brent Bennett hit back to give his side the lead. There looked to be plenty of time remaining for Stanthorpe to come back into the game but an intercept and almost length of the field run by the Roosters gave Brent Osborne his second try and sealed the game for the Roosters.
It wrapped up a successful year for the Roosters who won the President’s Cup and Patron’s Cup earlier in the season.
While the honours went to the Roosters the Gremlins played out of their skin and their form this season has been a credit to the players and their rookie coach Paul Harvey who has done a great job with the team.
Gremlins president Norman Crisp said he could not be prouder of the team.
The Roosters were planning to celebrate well into this week and 22-year-old Ryan Donovan, who took on the presidency of the club midway through the season, said he was just delighted at the win and also how well the whole day had turned out.
While both sides have a nucleus of older players each has a group of young players who will be much better next season and if the clubs can keep their teams together this is a rivalry that will go on for a few more years yet.
Player of the final was Matt West of Inglewood.
