The Thirroul Butchers will attempt to try and win both grades for the first time after defeating Wests 18 -10 in Reserve grade and then defeat Helensburgh in a Golden Point thriller 19 – 18. Not such good news for the Under 19’s Colts team who finished the season on Saturday after going down to Dapto 26-24
I didnt see the Under 19’s but Coach Brett Jones was very happy with the effort the boys put in and had a great season in 2014. The 19’s didnt look like fielding a team at the start of the year but gathered momentum and beat some of the remianing finalists through the year and have produced another wave of local juniors keen to follow on and become grade players of the future. Lachlan Stein and Jake Seargant Wilson both enjoyed a taste of first grade this year and most of the boys made themselves available to help out reserve grade who struggled to field a team some weeks. Congratulations boys you have had an outstanding year and cant wait to see you all in the higher grades next year.
Reserve Grade showed why they have been the team to beat all year with a convinving 18 -10 win over Wests after leading 18-0 in the second half. Coach Jarrod Costello will be looking for improvement though after the butchers let their concentration slip with a few poor decisions and penaltys allowing Wests back into the game although the Butchers rock solid goal line defence stopped many Wests try scoring raids.
Best in Reserve Grade were Jayden Dallalana, Hayden Crosland, Matty Syron, Luke Gallagher and Ty Blanchet
First Grade tested the nerves of The Butchers players and showed how gutsy the Butchers can be holding off the Burgh in a game that could have gone either way with both teams missing Golden Point field goal attempts.
The Butchers were outsized by the big burgh pack but the Butcher spirit shone through and the forwards toughed it out and led the way for the little men to shine.
Sam Clune continued his super season with the first try of the match off lead up work from Mick Blackwell led to a Nathan Fien Grubber.
Damian Blanche scored two outstanding tries mixing speed and power to skittle the burgh backs and the kicking game of Fien and Jake Walsh set a great platform for the Butchers attack
Fien was best on ground and despite being heavily targeted by the burgh big men, the coach showed his skill and toughness to lead the Butchers attack and after hitting the post with first attempt, kicked a field goal out of dummy half to put the Butchers through to the decider.
The club has had a fantastic year no matter what the result on Grand Final day and continues its run of 20 years in a row making the finals in first grade.
S.Jarvis
25/8/2014
