Saints march into inaugural Ron Massey Cup grand final
ST MARYS Saints have charged into their inaugural Ron Massey Cup rugby league grand final.
The Standard
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ST MARYS Saints experienced heartbreak and elation over the weekend: the rugby league club’s Sydney Shield team bowing out just one game short of the grand final while the Ron Massey Cup side powered into the decider.
In their inaugural year in both competitions, the Saints surpassed all expectations.
They aspired for the two teams to make the top four, but knew it was a tough ask.
However, the players — inspired by key signing and former NRL player Nathan Smith — took up the challenge.
The Sydney Shield side finished third on the competition table and were valiant in their 40-6 preliminary final defeat by East Campbelltown Eagles.
The Ron Massey Cup side finished fourth on the competition ladder and secured a spot in the grand final after a close tussle with the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Saints dominated early, with three tries, from Raymond Lesoa in the 19th minute, followed by one each from teammates Geoffrey Daniela and Tom Eisenhuth.
However, the Magpies responded with four-pointers in the 50th and 54th minutes and a conversion.
As the minutes ticked down, Christopher Aunese-Scanlon secured the win for the Saints with a final four-pointer in the 68th minute.
The Saints face minor premiers Mounties in the grand final at Pirtek Stadium at 2.15pm on Sunday. In a boost for their confident, St Marys defeated Mounties 26-22 in the qualifying final.
St Marys board president Warren Smith was overjoyed with the result.
“To have both the Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup sides make it to the grand final qualifier in our first year is just terrific and to have the Ron Massey Cup in the grand final is just something else and far exceeded our expectations. I encourage everyone to get down to Pirtek Stadium on Sunday, I want to hear everyone in the crowd singing … Oh when the Saints go marching in.”
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