By JO HARRISON
A DECISION to go for broke by St Albert’s College in the dying minutes of their grand final clash with the Armidale Blues at Bellevue Oval on Saturday, instead of taking the points and forcing extra time, may have cost them the premiership.
But according to coach Tom Newsam that’s just how his team plays “high risk footy”.
The Armidale Blues eventually won the game and the 2013 premiership 20-17 and looked early in the clash to be handling the pressure well and playing to their game plan.
After 15 minutes, the Blues scored to take the lead 7-0. St Albert’s College looked nervous with handling errors creeping into their game making it hard to execute their own style of footy.
With a missed chance to take some points from a penalty kick, the students dug deep with their forwards making some ground into the Blues territory. Repeated phases on the line reaped rewards and after 30 minutes into the first half Albies scored to level the game seven-all.
It wasn’t long before the Blues regained the lead after Alex Smith broke through the lack luster Albies’ defence to score. After an unsuccessful conversion the blues took the lead 12-7. Albies worked hard to hold onto possession putting pressure on the Armidale line.
Strong scrums and line-outs from Albies swung some momentum their way, however the Blues got themselves out of trouble with accurate kicks for field position. At half-time the Blues held their lead 12-7.
The Blues set a cracking pace early in the second half with continued phases deep in Albies half. Repeated scrums led to a pass out wide for Albies who looked like they were going to score.
A penalty was awarded to Albies who took the safe option for points with the score now 12-10 to the Blues.
As both teams became weary the game opened up with Albies and the Blues looking for points and throwing the ball around. The Blues scored but could not convert to take the score to 17-10.
Albies hit back after repeated attacks on the Blues line with a conversion brining the game even at 17-all. A penalty to the Blues in front of the posts handed the lead to Armidale 20-17. Albies dug deep and were camped on the Blues line. They were awarded a penalty and instead of taking the points and forcing the game into extra time they went for glory but could not break the Blues defence who went on to win 20-17.
Albies coach Tom Newsam was disappointed with the result.
“You can only play as good as your opposition lets you and Armidale were the better team today,” he said.
“The way we play is high risk and you are going to have mistakes when you play that sort of game but unfortunately we just didn’t get enough ball to take advantage of the way we play.”
Blues coach Alan Jones was ecstatic with the win saying his boys played some of their best footy all season in the final.
“We focused on our structure and finally got it right in the most important game of the year,” Alan said.
“We didn’t panic even though Albies kept clawing their way back, we invited them back into the game with some silly penalties and mistakes but the boys were able to maintain their composure and hang in for the win.”
