NELSON Bay rugby stocks couldn’t be healthier following the inspirational deeds of the Gropers’ first grade and under-1616s outfits in Hunter Suburban and Junior Rugby grand finals last weekend.
While the Scone Brumbies captured back-to-back Presidents Cup A Grade titles it was the junior Gropers who won the hearts of rugby diehards with a courageous performance in the 32-24 loss to Maitland Blacks at Townson Oval.
A late try by prop Kehaati Palu sealed victory for Maitland after they led 25-24 in a pulsating trophy decider.
Despite the heartbreak, the junior Gropers can hold their heads high after spirited performances throughout the Hunter Junior Rugby finals series.
Seven days after toppling the powerful Merewether club 28-24 in a gripping preliminary final, the talented Nelson Bay colts left everything out on the field in a crackerjack grand final contest.
In a fine exhibition of character and skill, the young Gropers fought until the final whistle.
Nelson Bay co-coaches Casey Dunning and Lachlan Hancock were proud of their charges’ efforts against the much-vaunted Maitland combination.
“From the first game of the season to the grand final, they’ve shown commitment, resilience, determination and plenty of heart,” beamed Dunning.
“What an achievement to make it all the way to the grand final and what a season to be proud of,” he reflected.
“The future looks bright for this group and we can’t wait to see what they can achieve next season,” Dunning added.
Gropers’ mentor Hancock described the grand final effort as “an amazing game from an amazing group of players.”
“They’ve kept us entertained all year and put in some unbelievable performances” he rejoiced.
The junior Gropers kept themselves in the hunt with tries by emerging fullback Jack Costello, number eight Ashton Boyd-Smith, centre Wade Rolston and winger Oliver Hoffman and two conversions by classy five eighth Matthew Green.
Other Gropers juniors to shine were forward mainstays Cooper Shoemark, hooker Patrick Buehler, Kelly Sommerville, Will Enright, Joshua Payne, Flynn Squires and Joshua Perry along with skilful halves Lachlan Dunning and fly half Green, centre Caden Foster and winger Jackson Cone.
A testimony of the Gropers’ depth of junior talent were the capable crop of interchange players in Ben Coyne, Riley Pascoe, Xavier Powell, Oska Sutter, Lloyd Khamala, Percy Rowe, Ashton Elliott and young gun Harrison Stone.
Promising Maitland five eighth Nate Vesper contributed 17 of his team’s 32 points with a try, three conversions and two penalty goals.
By Chris KARAS
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