TAFE NSW Polecats savour sweet revenge and 17th NSW Tertiary League title
TAFE NSW Polecats saved their best for the last to capture their 17th NSW Tertiary League title, outlasting their arch rivals UTS Tigers 24-16 in a thrilling first-division grand final on Saturday night.
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TAFE NSW Polecats saved their best for last to capture their 17th NSW Tertiary League title, outlasting their arch rivals UTS Tigers 24-16 in a thrilling first-division grand final on Saturday night.
It also made up for last season’s grand final defeat to the Tigers.
But the Polecats lost out on a second title when their second-division team went down 22-28 to the Tigers after initially taking the lead.
Both finals were played at New Era Stadium, Cabramatta. The first division team’s win capped a fine season for the Polecats who won the club championship for their successes across both divisions.
“The disappointment of losing the reserve-grade grand final two years in a row really spurred the boys on,” Polecats coach Dan Jackson said. “It was one of the sweetest victories I have been a part of.”
The Polecats claimed three other awards on the day with Billy Butler, named First Division Player of the Year, Michael Beggs the Second Division Player of the Year and Ryan Bowen (198 points) being the top scorer in second division.
In the first-division final, the Tigers took control with two tries before the consistent Shane Rowe crossed over two minutes before halftime, reducing the lead to 10-6.
The Tigers, who had beaten the Polecats during the league games, regained their 10-point lead with their third try before the Polecats found their mojo.
Chad Doering and Richie Mante grounded tries to cut the lead to two. Rowe then got a lucky bounce after a Taylor Bennett kick and the Polecats were ahead for the first time.
With four minutes left, man of the match Luke Rye chipped the ball to help set up Shane Miller for a converted try and seal their victory.
In the second-division final, the minor premiers Polecats struck the first blow, when Jamie O’Leary scored, setting up a 6-0 lead.
But they conceded 16 points letting the Tigers grab a 16-6 lead.
Joe Ngawini, Brandon Webb and Raphael William-Joseph all crossed the line in the second half. But their efforts fell short after the UTS Tigers scored twice to take title.
The Polecats’ reunion is on September 23 at Rosehill Gardens, followed by their presentation night at Castle Hill Tavern on November 10.
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