In the final match of the Positional finals, the miracle-working Central Coast Falcons came up against the consistantly good New England Ferrets. It was a new-look Falcons side that took the park, battered by poor form and injuries.
NEW ENGLAND CENTRAL COAST
1: David Peachy © 1: Rod Silva
2: Albert Torrens 2: Daryl Halligan
3: Shane Rigon 3: Willie Talau
4: Shane Elford 4: Nigel Vagana
5: Martin Offiah 5: Hazem El Masri
6: Ben Ikin 6: Scott Prince
7: Adrian Lam 7: Craig Polla-Mounter
8: Kevin Iro 8: Paul Harrogan
9: Ben Walker 9: Dean Treister
10: Andrew Hart 10: Darren Britt ©
11: Chris Joynt 11: Braam van Straaten
12: Lee Harland 12: Steve Reardon
13: Paul Smith 13: Glen Hughes
14: Andy Farrel 14: Chris Flannery
15: Darrell Trindall 15: Alan Tongue
16: Peter Jorgenson 16: Sam Isemonger
17: Wairangi Koopu 17: Jason Hetherington
The Ferrets got the game underway in front of a modest but vocal crowd, in what promised to be an exciting match. The two sides had met only weeks earlier, and although New England had come off there, this was a different match entirely. A new look Central Coast side was on the park, one which desperately needed to win to stay alive in the premiership race.
Nigel Vagana gave the Falcons plenty to roar about early on, his infamous speed putting him in the clear care of a Van Straaten pass. The Ferrets managed to repel the attack, but found themselves behind on the scoreboard moments later when Kevin Iro collared El Masri too high.
Down 2-0, the Ferrets marshalled an attacking raid of their own, but Chris Joynt's bustling run towards the line fell achingly short thanks to a grassing tackle from Rod Silva. Handling errors ruined the Falcons' next two try-scoring opportunities, with Talau and Treister both fumbling with the line open.
The Falcons were made to pay for their sloppy attack in the 8th minute, when a Ben Walker penalty had the Ferrets entrenched deep in Falcons' territory. A linebreak by Lee Harland had the Falcons defence reeling, and with Peachy and Elford screaming for the ball out wide, Silva rushed out wide to counter the option. Harland surprised even his own team with a chip, which he collected fifteen out before casting aside Halligan to score under the posts! The conversion had it at 6-2, and even the coaching staff were impressed by Harland's skills.
Both sides became sloppy as the half progressed, with New England over-eager to end the match, and Central Coast uncharacteristically impatient. The side, in its maiden year, showed some signs of ill-discipline as it fought to keep the miracle finals charge alive.
The Falcons got some points back in the 17th, when Halligan's second penalty had his side within two. The Ferrets attempted to hit back moments later through a Ben Walker grubber, but Silva was equal to the task, defusing a volatile situation with his characteristic speed.
The Falcons put more pressure on the New England lead moments later, using an El Masri 40-20 to give their side a shot deep in enemy territory. The tough New England defence unnerved the forwards, and some messy passes headed to the right, where Halligan tripped and dropped a ball into touch.
Halligan seemed to have excorcised his demons in the 24th, plucking a El Masri bomb from the air to plant the ball in the corner. However, the video referee found that Peachy had been held back by Silva, and the try was called back. More promising Central Coast attack was ended by stinging New England defence, Van Straaten literally thrown into touch by big Kevin Iro.
The constant possession and pressure finally paid off in the 32nd, with Scott Prince's natural speed allowing him to get around a sleepy marker and gain a valubale try. Halligan made no mistakes with the conversion, and it was 10-6 in favour of the visitors.
Four consecutive penalties to the Ferrets didn't get them anywhere, as the Falcons showed true grit to hold them out. Walker eventually settled for a penalty, bringing it back to 10-8 at halftime.
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The second half began, and it took only two minutes for the Falcons to post points through the boot of Halligan. A four point lead wasn't impossible to surmount, but the Ferrets faced the daunting Falcons' defence.
Neither side could crack the line in the opening ten, with Central Coast producing strong defence, but not being able to produce some strong attack. The side with the least handling errors in the ASRL dropped ball after ball as they threw away every chance they were given.
In the 58th minute, the Ferrets equalised, snatching their first real opportunity as Ben Walker mesmorised the Falcons' defence to score just left of the upright. Surprisingly, he missed the conversion, leaving the final twenty minutes to decide the outcome.
It was the Falcons' turn to face tough defence, as the big Ferrets' forwards continually repelled even the most imaginative attacking raids. A Scott Prince knock-on deep in his own territory would prove costly. Ben Walker swooped on the loose ball, toeing it ahead before picking it up one-handed and diving into the corner. The scintillating piece of league not only got the fans excited, but also put his side ahead 16-12 with fifteen to go.
The Falcons tried to play catch up football, but couldn't handle it, continually pushing unnecessary passes as the clock wound down. The Ferrets looked to have sealed things in the 68th, but the try was called back for a shepherd, giving the Falcons some hope of a comeback.
The last ten minutes were messy by both sides, as the tiredness and heat began to settle in. The game ended at 16-12, with the Falcons lucky to be that close.
FULL TIME
New England 16:
Lee Harland
Ben Walker 2
Ben Walker 2/4
def.
Central Coast 12:
Scott Prince
Daryl Halligan 4/4
Player of the Match
Ben Walker 3
Lee Harland 2
Kevin Iro 1
