By
LSPT Damien Cann
The Divers etched out a measure of revenge to make it third time
lucky and clinch the Patron’s Cup rugby league tournament by 6
points at Sydney’s Leichardt Oval this month. Leichardt Oval,
home of the mighty Wests Tigers, was the venue for the eagerly
anticipated competition.
Plate winners for the past two years, the Divers had their minds
set on taking the Patrons Cup for 2005 - third time lucky. They
didn’t disappoint.
After six games of lightning fast football, four teams progressed
into the semifinals.
The Divers beat their archrivals and parent establishment Waterhen,
14 -6. The Barbarians were the second team into the final with
a 10 - 0 win over Kuttabul/Fima, who looked dangerous close to
the line on many occasions, but failed to cross.
The playoff for the wooden spoon preceded the final and Sydney
defeated the Cerberus Doggies 8 - 4. The Doggies almost crossed
to level the scores on the last play of the game. The grand final
between the Divers and the Barbarians was brutal with both teams
playing their hearts out. In the first half, ABCD Josh Seaman
required staples in his head and LSCD Jason Harp leftthe field
with concussion.
Both returned to the battlefield to finish the game. At halftime
the Baa-Baas led 6-4. The second half was just as punishing, but
saw a superb try to ABCD Kyle Arnold scoring the Divers’ third
try under the posts, his first for the season.
The Divers took the game, 12 -6. SMNCIS Luke Woodcroft (HMAS Sydney)
won the WOCD “Dixie” Foord Player of the Tournament and LSCD Shane
Bullock (RAN Dive School) won the WOPT “Bones” Sutton Player of
the Final award.
Full time scores: 12 def Kuttabul 0, Waterhen 16 def Sydney 6,
Divers 4 def Cerberus 0, Barbarians 12 def Waterhen 4, Kuttabul
10 def Cerberus 0, Barbarians 26 def Sydney 0 Semi final 1: Divers
14 def Waterhen 6 Semi final 2: Barbarians 10 def Kuttabul 0 Wooden
spoon: Sydney 8 def Cerberus 4 Grand final: Divers 12 def Barbarians
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