Rugby League Gold Coast grand final day: Match reports
A Guy Hamilton masterclass from five-eighth has inspired Runaway Bay to the Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade premiership, 20 years after his father accomplished the same.
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A Guy Hamilton masterclass from five-eighth has inspired Runaway Bay to the Gold Coast Rugby League A Grade premiership, 20 years after his father accomplished the same.
The 25-year-old is an NRL prospect hitting his prime and demonstrated why with three classy try assists to unravel the Burleigh Bears 22-14 in Saturday’s night decider at Cbus Super Stadium despite playing through an injured hamstring.
A large crowd of 4011 marvelled as Hamilton produced the signature moment of the night, breaking free on a long run before pausing in place and grubbering ahead for fullback John Mackin to push ahead to 22-10 late in the match.
“It’s a bit surreal,” Hamilton said.
“We came here 10 weeks ago with a target to be here and to go undefeated is pretty special.
“I still got a bit nervous leading into the game because there was a bit of pressure on us. We got the job done and we’re pretty happy.
“That Grand Final was close to a (Intrust Super) Cup game for me.
“There’s a few young blokes there who will probably play Cup in the next coming years.
“Burleigh are strong in every game so it will always be tough, but that was pretty much a Cup game for me. It was a really good physical battle and we’ll be sore tomorrow.”
Runaway Bay started the match in the best possible fashion when a surprise positional switch paid dividends.
Former Sunshine Coast Falcon and South Logans Magpie playmaker Alex Bishop started the match, pushing reigning RLGC A Grade MVP Jenan Wedderburn-Parrish to the bench, and his impact was felt immediately.
A sharp pass sent skipper Jimmy Poland through the line before passing back to Bishop, the grandson of British rugby league legend Tommy Bishop, to score the opener in the 5th minute.
Burleigh’s left edge was exposed defensively again moments later when Guy Hamilton swung into action, firing a long cut-out pass for winger Jake Powell to carry the Bay into a 10-point lead.
The Bears hit back with back-to-back tries to backrower Brett Stratton and hooker Jordan Scott to tie the game in the 30th minute.
Stalemate was short-lived when Hamilton lofted a kick into the Burleigh in-goal, which bobbled out of Burleigh hands for co-captain Darcy Sims to plant down and take back the lead at half-time, 16-10.
The grand final’s signature moment fell midway through the second half when another dropped ball in backline was scooped up by Hamilton.
The playmaker tore off down the sideline but didn’t have the speed to break clear himself.
Waiting until the final possible moment Hamilton drew the defence before kicking clear for in-form fullback John Mackin.
Mackin won the footrace to score a decisive try.
Burleigh’s desperation shone through and a late try to interchange Shawn Anderson could have created a grandstand finish with a successful conversion.
Jayden Campbell’s shot sailed wide and Runaway Bay defended their eight-point lead until the final whistle.
RESERVE GRADE
Currumbin centre Tom Berkers has streaked away for an intercept try to seal a perfect grand final day for his club, adding the Reserve Grade title to the Under-20 and Under-18 premierships the Eagles claimed earlier in the day.
Sladden’s 90 metre runaway turned the tide of the final with southern derby rivals Tugun, who were attacking a numbers advantage on the right wing with scores locked at 12-all in the final.
Sladden swooped on a cut-out pass bound for former A Grade star Keanu Te Kiri and ran the rest of the distance untouched to score the match-winner.
Tugun fought back into position to bring about extra time but misfired with a harmless knock on from dummhalf in final play.
A late decider was fitting for a match locked up at 6-all at halftime.
Tugun, behind the eight ball throughout the match, found their feet early in the second half to lead 12-6.
Currumbin prop Jake Lucas tied up the match at 12-all before Sladden’s runaway put the reserve grade semi-final to bed.
UNDER-20S
The Currumbin Eagles reign of dominance in the Under-20s division has continued with a third-straight grand final victory in thrilling fashion over the Helensvale Hornets, 22-20.
The Eagles were forced to defend a six-point lead with 12 men in the final 10 minutes after fullback Tyler Mahon was banished from the field for slowing down play.
A brilliant defensive effort held out a resurgent Hornets outfit until it was too late, conceding a try on the left extreme of the field that could not be converted.
Currumbin controlled the game with poise from start to finish but a dogged opposition, sparked by human excitement machine and double try-scorer Brent Barnes, hung in and had their chances to go ahead.
Helensvale will rue a controversial forward-pass ruling that denied them a go-ahead score midway through the second half.
Eagles five-eighth Harry Bryant split the defence on the following play to score what would become the match-winning try.
His halves partner Oliver Singh received the man of the match award.
UNDER-18S
The Currumbin Eagles have defeated the Burleigh Bears 18-0 in the Rugby League Gold Coast Under-18s grand final at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Eagles broke deadlock late in the first half when a high tackle from Burleigh fullback Tuvalli Khan-Pereira invited Eagles onto the doorstep.
A try on right edge with 10 minutes to play in first half sent Currumbin up 4-nil.
Another Burleigh error on the stroke of halftime was punished immediately when a kick found grass inside 10 metres.
A tough bounce caught Burleigh on the back foot, spilling the ball into the hands of Currumbin fullback Joshua Munckton who scored between the posts as halftime sounded. Currumbin held their discipline in the second half to deny Burleigh any chance of a comeback.
When interchange dummyhalf Brodie Desmond powered over from short range the match was put to bed, 16-0, with a final penalty goal to halfback and man of the match the Travis May the icing on the cake.
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