St Marys Saints have claimed back-to-back premierships in the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup after defeating Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 18-16 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today.
“It doesn’t get any better,” Player of the Match and St Marys halfback Zac Greene.
“If you thought one was good, let me tell ya, that feels even better.”
Saints started strong with a try in the third minute, before the Hawks hit back with two tries of their own. They found another try just before half-time to make it 12-all, but a back and forth second half saw Saints hold on for a two-point victory.
Saints started the match in good fashion after a line break from fullback Zac Cini provided some early momentum. Taking full advantage of a weary defence line, a shift to the right saw winger Samuel Curtain stride down the touchline before getting a pass inside to centre Angelis Hotere-Papalii who crossed the line. Five-eighth Brad Keighran added the extras to put St Marys up 6-0.
Saints were reduced to 12 men following back-to-back penalties and the sin-binning of Niko Apelu for a late tackle on Hawks halfback Eiden Ackland. Taking advantage of the situation, the Hawks shifted to the left where fullback Ben Stevanovic stepped his way back inside to score. He converted his own try to level the scores up at 6-all.
Another opportunity opened for the Hawks just minutes later after Saints' kick-off went dead in-goal on the full to gift them valuable field position.
A shift play saw the Hawks capitalise on the extra-man advantage as centre Simon Tito beat his defender to the line. Another successful conversion from Stevanovic saw the Hawks lead for the first time 12-6.
On the cusp of half-time, Saints scrambled to bring the scores back level. Keeping the ball alive on the last tackle, Apelu managed to roll the ball backwards after being brought to the ground as Connor Mason picked up the crumbs and took the ball over the line. Keighran’s conversion saw both sides run into the sheds 12-all at half-time.
The Hawks struck first in the second half after Ackland took the ball to the line before quickly getting a pass off to Stevanovic who combined with winger Esera Chee-Kam to score out wide. Unable to convert from the sideline, Ryde-Eastwood held a 4-point lead.
A scrum on the half-way line saw Saints halfback Zac Greene produce a moment of brilliance, putting in an early kick that saw winger Samuel Curtain win the foot race to the ball to score. With Keighran’s successful conversion, the Saints regained the lead 18-16.
“It was a play we’ve had in the bank,” Greene said.
“As we set that scrum, I just looked over at him, gave him a little wink, and he nodded at me and I knew that as soon as he kicked it, he would be there.”
The Hawks had their chances to level the scores again through a penalty goal but the attempt was waved away to leave Saints as only the second club to claim both the Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup, after Wentworthville in 2012.
“It is just really rewarding for all the people behind the scenes,” St Marys coach Glenn Jones said.
“From the board, (Saints Rugby League Manager) Adam Przybyla, all the staff and all the players, we did it for everyone.
“It takes an extraordinary effort from everyone to get this achievement.”
