Super W Grand Final: Ash Hewson holds nerve to kick NSW to golden-point win over Queensland
VETERAN skipper Ash Hewson delivered big time for the Waratahs in the Super W Grand Final, with two decisive plays late on helping NSW win in a golden-point thriller.
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SINCE she was five years old and playing backyard footy on NSW’s south coast, Ash Hewson practiced kicking a goal to win the Grand Final.
Thirty-two years on, Hewson got her chance. And she nailed it.
In a true captain’s knock, Hewson was the hero for the Waratahs women after kicking a goal deep into extra-time of golden point and capturing the inaugural Super W title over Queensland at Allianz Stadium.
After an epic decider that was just moments away from seeing a shared trophy, Hewson not only won the game with her kick but denied the Queenslanders what seemed like a match-winning try at the death.
With scores locked at 13-all and the full-time hooter sounded, Queensland’s fullback Samantha Treherne only had to overpower Hewson in the last-line to score and win the final.
Hewson - a former Long Bay jail warden - smashed her backwards and into touch - saving the day and helping take the game into extra time and eventually her kick at goal, which came after a brainfade penalty in front of the sticks by Toa Filimoehala.
“As soon as the whistle blew I walked away from everyone, took a deep breath and knew it was going to come down to that,” Hewson said.
“Since the age of five or six I have been practising that moment in my backyard or on football fields down the South Coast. It finally paid off.”
Hewson was swamped by her jubilant teammates as the dejected Queenslanders slumped to the ground next to them. They deserved more.
But this was a final that more than proved the worth of elevating Australia’s women’s fifteens players to a big new, televised platform.
It had it all: massive hits, power, skills, passion and end-to-end tension.
Those in charge of compiling highlight reels will be able pluck out half-a-dozen moments that any Grand Final - men’s or women’s - would be proud to claim.
Liz Patu’s dominant tackling rattled the Waratahs women, and Ashlee Knight’s fend on Hewson before a 50 metre try was as good as you’ll see.
Queensland led for 60 minutes but NSW’s forward power told in the end, and they used their fitness and strength in tight to squeeze their way back into the game and to victory.
“This is history. We wanted to win the inaugural season,” Hewson said.
“This whole competition has been unbelievable. That game, I am so glad it was like that because it was a real testament to the competition and the passion that women play rugby with. It was on display 100 per cent tonight. We do it for the complete and utter love for the game.
“I feel absolutely exhausted and emotionally drained. We knew it was going to be like that. But just the belief in our team, we knew we get over the line eventually.”
After a tightly-fought first quarter that saw NSW lead 3-0, Queensland flanker Lavinia Gould plucked out a pass from Cobie-Jane Morgan at the tail of a lineout and raced 55 metres to score.
NSW got back upfield but time and again Queensland’s defence repelled the NSW runners. And when it came to giant Queensland prop Patu, near buried them.
NSW grabbed another penalty to lead 6-5 at halftime but another highlight reel moment saw Queensland score a second try after the break, when Ashlee Knight fended Hewson into the dirt with an all-timer and then raced 50 metres to the line.
The NSW team turned to their big forwards to get back in the game, and they scored in the 65th minute through Melissa Fatu after a billionth pick and drive.
Queensland hit a penalty goal in the dying minutes to take the game into extra-time, and repelled one 19-phase attack by NSW in golden point.
The tension soared, and the going got tough. Then, in what could have been her last game for NSW, the Waratahs women looked to Hewson - and she delivered.