THERE was talk all year that the ball seemed to bounce in Redfield Old Boys’ favour and unfortunately, for University of Western Sydney-Hawkesbury, that proved to be the case on the weekend.
The first grade grand final in division three of NSW Suburban Rugby Union competition was locked at 24-24 with about eight minutes to go on Saturday.
Just as it had all year, the ball bounced favourably for Redfield and the team managed to score a length of the field try to break the deadlock.
With five minutes to go the score was 41-24, as Redfield put on two more tries to claim the grand final win.
Second grade also lost the grand final 22-12 against Waverley.
UWSH coach Kristian Berghofer said he was devastated by the two losses, but he seemed to be the only one in the club who was.
‘‘It was a great day for the club, we had a lot of supporters there,’’ he said.
‘‘I think we took the loss very well, there was a lot of banter and team song after the game.
‘‘I was a bit devastated but all of the boys took it very well.
‘‘When you have such a good group of people and supporter base it is easy to see why it wasn’t devastating.’’
Berghofer said at the eight minute mark he truly thought the club would come away with the win in first grade.
‘‘I thought we had it,’’ he said. ‘‘I had a feeling we would get over the top.
‘‘One bounce of the ball went into their hands and they scored a length of the field try. They scored three tries in three minutes.
‘‘They had to put the effort in to get those bounces.
‘‘You have to put the effort in to have the rugby gods smile on you like that.’’
Berghofer said Redfield and UWSH played two starkly contrasting styles of rugby, and in this match, it paid off for Redfield.
However, in second grade, he said UWSH and Waverley played exactly the same style.
‘‘The second grade was very much to and fro for the entire game,’’ he said.
‘‘It was two teams playing the exact same type of game plan.
‘‘It was very much an arm wrestle between the two.’’
Second grade eventually succumbed, which was not helped by two yellow cards to the team.
Despite the losses, Berghofer said the spirits of those within the club were high.
‘‘From a club perspective it was a really good year,’’ he said.
‘‘There were a lot of first year guys at the club and I can only think it will get better as the years go on.’’
