The Nomads have celebrated 50 years in style and staked their claim for the 2012 TAFL Premiership by defeating the Saints in Armidale on Saturday.
It was a match that went in ebbs and flows for much of the 100 minutes, but the Nomads held the advantage of much of the contest. The Nomads fired early, and kicked the first three goals of the match to leave the Saints scrambling to catch up. However, the Saints fought back late in the quarter and took a one-point lead into the first change.
The next quarter was almost a carbon copy, as again the Nomads opened up a handy lead, at one point out to 25 points, before the Saints rallied and got back to within two kicks at the half. The match was crying out for someone to take it by the scruff of the neck, and the Saints were the ones who blinked, leaving the Nomads to take full advantage late in the third quarter. They kicked four goals in the last five minutes of the quarter and, with another right at the start of the last, the Nomads were out to a 34-point lead and it looked as though the floodgates could open. The Saints, however, were not done with yet, and kicked the next four goals of the game to give themselves a sniff with five minutes left on the clock. They couldn’t repeat the heroics of a fortnight ago and the Nomads held on to record a massive win two weeks out from finals.
For the Nomads, Ash Cruikshank was strong all day and their most dangerous across the forward line, with Dave Richards also performing well. Half-back Zac Economou was excellent in defence and Simon Stubs important through the ruck. For the Saints, Hamish Bird was outstanding on a wing, with Tom Williams and Russell Brien strong in the middle.
The Nomads will now face the Roos at home in a massive clash that will decide the Minor Premiership and the team that has the rights to the home Major Semi. The Saints need to rebound when they face the Cats in Tamworth.
New England Nomads 13.13.91 def Inverell Saints 11.15.81
