NSW Rugby Media Release

Sunday 9 August, 2015

Eastwood will face off against Manly in the Grand Final of the Intrust Super Shute Shield after an extraordinary comeback saw them beat Southern Districts 32-28 at TG Millner Field.

The last time the two teams met it was a thrilling last minute win to Eastwood, and from the outset it appeared Southern Districts were out to avenge the loss with three early tries in the first half, but a resurgent Eastwood scored 32 unanswered points to win the match despite a try in the dying throes of the match to Southern Districts Captain Jed Holloway.

THE MATCH
Paul Asquith wasted no time registering points on the scoreboard for the visiting Southern Districts side, with a loping try in just the third minute of the game, easily converted by Jordan McGregor and taking their lead to 7-0.

Exciting halfback Dewet Roos followed up seconds later with a try attempt that went long, but Souths had firmly established dominance in the early stages of the match until the ten minute mark passed and Eastwood were able to gain some territory with a kick from the classy Jai Ayoub.

But it would be to no avail, with Southern Districts Captain and Catchpole Medal nominee Jed Holloway setting up McGregor for a try in the 11^th minute, who then easily converted his own efforts.

The home side looked to score in the 16^th minute, but scrambling Southern Districts’ defence prevented Brad Curtis from any joy. It was heartbreak again five minutes later, when Jed Holloway grounded a ball over the line just moments ahead of Hugh Perrett to deny the home side yet again.

Some defensive heroics from Dewet Roos set up a spectacular try from the Australian Sevens pairing of Alex Gibbon and Afa Pakalani, with McGregor not putting a foot wrong with his third goal from three attempts so far in the match.

Eastwood finally found the line in the 30^th minute of the match, when Joey Afualo crossed amidst a flurry of Rebel hands. Ben Batger converted to take the score to 21-7 with nine minutes left to play in the first half.

A gritty period of attack from Eastwood yielded no joy on the scoreboard, with a try attempt held up. But minutes later Tom Hill scored a barnstorming try, converted by Ben Batger, narrow the deficit to seven points heading into the half-time break.

Southern Districts started the second half with gusto, but a high tackle from Andrew Leota saw him yellow carded, and Ben Batger took the opportunity to take Eastwood to 17 points with an accurate penalty kick.

Eastwood Captain and Catchpole Medal nominee Hugh Perrett showed his class with a runaway try shortly after to wrest the lead from the visitors, and the conversion from Ben Batger took the score to 24-21.

Eastwood looked to follow that try up with another after exposing gaps in the Southern Districts’ defence, but a penalty kick was the end result and Eastwood’s lead stretched to six points with Batger slotting another to add to Eastwood’s tally of 27 unanswered points.

A bustling rolling maul saw Eastwood cross in the 61^st minute, with Southern Districts seemingly unable to halt the growing momentum of the home side, who had starved them of possession in the second half.

The woes compounded for Souths, who were working hard at the wrong end of the field, unable to break through the comprehensive Eastwood attack until a thrilling last ditch try from Jed Holloway in the 83^rd minute of the match narrowed their losing deficit to four points, with the final score 32-28 to Eastwood.

Fittingly, the two teams who have spent the season vying for the top of the ladder position will face each other in the Intrust Super Shute Shield Grand Final next week, to be played onSaturday August 15 at Concord Oval and broadcast live on Channel 7 from 3pm.

EASTWOOD 32 (J Afualo, T Hill, H Perrett, McCaffrey  tries; B Batger 3 goals, 2 penalty goals) beat SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 28 (P Asquith, J McGregor, A Pakalani, J Holloway tries; J McGregor 4 goals)