For the first time in the club’s 23 year history, Southern Districts will contest a Grand Final after dispatching Manly 41-22 in yesterday’s preliminary final.
The Shute Shield newcomers will now face 47-time champions Sydney University at Concord Oval next Saturday, September 15.
The Students proved too strong for Northern Suburbs, grinding out a 28-13 win earlier today to earn a spot in the 2012 Grand Final and the chance to go one better than last year.
Southern Districts 41 (John Ulugia, Jed Holloway, Grayson Hart, Rohan Saifoloi, Apo Latunipulu, Atieli Pakalani tries; Ben Volavola 4 cons, pen) d Manly 22 (Cadeyrn Neville, Kotoni Ale, Scott Daruda, Lui Siale tries; Lui Siale con)
Formed in 1989 through the amalgamation of St George and Port Hacking, Southern Districts stuck to its expansive game plan to advance to its first ever Shute Shield Grand Final, outclassing Manly to run away with a comprehensive six-try victory.
The match started well for Souths, who got on the board first through three points to fullback Ben Volavola. But rattled by an injury to HSBC Waratah and Wallaby centre Rob Horne, the Rebels conceded a try to Marlins’ flanker Cadeyrn Neville, who crossed to give his side an early 5-3 point lead.
With No.8 Lopeti Timani yellow carded, Manly flyhalf Scott Daruda showed a great sleight of hand to grab his side’s second but the Rebels picked up their game in the back end of the first half, with lock Jed Holloway crossing for a converted try to level the scores at 10 points apiece at the break.
Southern Districts made no mistakes in the second half, taking control of the match to run in an impressive 24 unanswered points, including great individual tries from HSBC Waratahs scrum half Grayson Hart and wing Atieli Pakalani.
Manly had a real attempt at clawing their way back with late tries to flanker Kotoni Ale and centre Lui Siale but a runaway try from Souths’ flyhalf Rohan Saifoloi sealed his team’s progress to a first ever Grand Final.
Sydney University 28 (Nathan Charles, Nathan Trist, Angus Roberts, Tom Carter tries; Angus Roberts 2 pens, con) d Northern Suburbs 13 (Ben Matwijow try; Dave Harvey 2 pens, con)
After losing last year’s Grand Final to Eastwood, Sydney University will get another chance at the Shute Shield premiership after they defeated Northern Suburbs in a hard-fought 28-13 point victory today at T.G. Millner Field.
Captain Tim Davidson says the team will look to turn last year’s pain to this year’s gain when they take on Southern Districts at Concord Oval next Saturday. “It’s something that caused a lot of pain for a lot of guys in the team,” said Davidson of last year’s Grand Final loss to Eastwood.
“We haven’t spoken too much about it but we will be calling on it now. We’ll need something extra for next week.”
The Students’ impressive second half effort proved the difference against a gallant Northern Suburbs outfit. Called into the flyhalf position after Dan Kelly was ruled out before kick off, Angus Roberts didn’t disappoint, grabbing an impressive 13 individual points for the Students. The Shoremen fought hard, with lock Ben Matwijow crossing for his team’s only try. Although flyhalf Dave Harvey converted, a late try to HSBC Waratahs centre Tom Carter sealed the Students’ victory and earned the club a crack at a record 48th first grade Premiership title.
Tickets for the 2012 Shute Shield Grand Final at Concord Oval on Saturday, September 15 (3pm), are available for discounted advance purchase through
Ticketek, priced from $2.50 to $45, or available on the day, priced from just $5 for Under 16s. The match will be televised live on ABC.