Camden now go through to next week’s

[najmulseo2020]

Camden clung to a eight point lead for the next ten minutes as Avondale threw everything at them until eventually Darryl Sanft made one of his trademark straight runs to attract the Ram defenders creating space for Itula to race away and score a thirty meter try under the posts. Aiono’s conversion made it a one point game at 22 – 23 with less than 10 minutes left in the match.

The physical toll of the match was starting to show on both sides but it was Camden who managed to finish the stronger spending a long period of the last ten minutes camped in the Avondale half. With seconds remaining a loose ball at the back of a ruck close to the Avondale line was toed through with big Camden lock Tim Windle winning the race to the ball to score and seal the Rams spot in the Grand Final.

Avondale would be disappointed with their performance overall phone number list as they just couldn’t get their structure quite right in the face of a very vigorous Camden defensive effort. For the Wombats No. 8 Steven Fuka charged into the defensive line all day and was ably supported by lock Matt Taufa. Flanker Michael Malaki’s defensive work was outstanding for the Wombats while fullback Scott Morgan put in his best performance of the year.

Forwards Mark Morris, Mark Minter and Dave Gleeson lead the way up front for the Rams with Ben Greentree, Junior Mapesone and Russell making strong contributions in the backs.

But it is the Rams who now progress through to the decider against Uni next week and will look forward to the opportunity to defend their 2013 title which looked very much in doubt six weeks ago. With a week to recover after such a physical match in the final the Rams will start as underdogs against the Bulls who have had the luxury of a week’s rest.

As the rain continued to fall, the second half developed into a slog fest as both sides struggled to handle the slippery conditions and frustrations began to rise. With scoring opportunities becoming difficult to come by desperation crept into the match and at times tempers became strained. With twenty minutes left Nightingale was binned after a lifting tackle and Vikings raised an extra effort in attack. Taking full advantage of the extra player, one of Vikings best all year Michael Ashby put on a solo run from 20 meters out to get Vikings second five pointer.

With five minutes left in the match Nightingale returned to the field only to see team mate Lee Russell binned for a ruck infringement. With the result of the match resolved most at the ground were happy to hear the final whistle as conditions became very uncomfortable for all concerned.

Final against Minor Premiers Avondale at Ocean Park, to compete for the right to meet Uni in the Grand Final the following week. Standouts for the Rams were Hooker Dave Gleeson and Lock Mark Morris, with Junior Mapesone turning Vikings defenders around all match.

For the Blueys, hooker David Capp worked extremely hard for the full eighty minutes with center Michael Ashby capping off a very strong year for the side.