THOMAS BUSBY/Taranaki Daily News
PARTY TIME: Bell Block Marist Dragons players and supporters have plenty to celebrate after their 25-10 win over the Waitara Bears in the Lile Shield Taranaki premier grade final at Bell Block's Hickford Park on Saturday.
Under pressure for long periods, the Dragons' defence held out the Waitara Bears to win the Lile Shield Taranaki premier grade rugby league final 25-10 at Bell Block's Hickford Park on Saturday.
The final scoreline didn't reflect the closeness of the final, with the Dragons ahead by 18-10 heading into the final quarter.
And with both sides reduced in numbers – the Bears by one and the Dragons by two – after referee Eric Kneepkens sent three players to the bin for head high tackles, it was all on.
Bears' prop Hemi Rawiri was the first sent to cool off, with Marist's Vinnie Hill following him three minutes later. Not long after, they were joined by Marist centre Kaawana Cassidy.
They seemed harsh calls, with several first-half tackles just as bad going unpunished.
But it was Marist who handled the sinbinnings best, with winger Mattock crossing for a try to give his side a winning buffer at 22-10.
With three minutes remaining, Dylan Hall popped over a dropped goal and then added a penalty goal in the final minute to kick off the celebrations.
Dragons' coach Stacey Lamb was delighted with the win.
"I'm just so proud of the boys. We were on the receiving end of the penalty count and we still came through. The Bears kept pounding away and we held them out. Our defence was strong, especially our on-line goal defence," he said.
"It's always good to get a victory over the Bears in any game, let alone a final.
"It was a mighty effort and pretty special. Today's result just adds fire to the passion that burns between the two sides."
Waitara Bears' coach Stacey O'Carroll said his side fell at the last hurdle.
"You can't win them all. The guys played well, but not well enough," he said.
"We had plenty of opportunities but didn't take them. They defended well and deserved their win. Defence wins finals and their defence on the day was outstanding."
The final started with a touch of controversy.
Marist were awarded a 40/20 after a kick with the Bears' bench protesting and Taranaki Rugby League general manager George Luke fuming.
"We haven't played the 40/20 rule all season. For them (the officials) to change it is shocking really," said Luke. "They should have come to me and told me."
Taranaki Rugby League Referees' Association chairman Dave Verney who was on the sideline said the decision had been made by the three officials.
"When the field is marked correctly and there's official touch judges, you can use 40/20s. It's a NZRL rule. The referee instructed both teams in the middle. Both teams created a 40/20 opportunity, so it was fair."
Marist caught the Bears by surprise by a 40/20 kick only minutes into the match, with their first try coming from the resulting scrum with Cassidy scoring. The Bears replied with a try by winger Tyson Lewis.
Marist's second try had a touch more luck about it, with winger Rikki Hall grabbing an intercept and sprinting 70 metres to score under the posts.
In the third quarter, with Bears' captain Corey Balsom scoring first and then Hill for the Dragons.
All the points in the final quarter were scored by Marist.
Scorers were:
Bell Block Marist Dragons 25 (Kaawana Cassidy, Rikki Hall, Vinnie Hill, Jason Mattock tries; Taane Prestney 3 goals; Dylan Hall goal, dropped goal) Waitara Bears 10 (Tyson Lewis, Corey Balsom tries; Ziggy Tangira goal).
Halftime: Bell Block Marist Dragons 12-4.
- Taranaki Daily News
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