HAWKESBURY Ag College’s first grade team defeated Hunters Hill to claim the NSW Suburban Rugby Union second division grand final at the weekend.
Ag College won a tight contest, getting up over the minor premiers 15-13 at Concord Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Centre Damien Fakafanua scored two tries, while fly half Jake Bailey kicked a conversion and penalty goal to deliver Hawkesbury Ag College the victory.
Ag College coach Mick West said it was an amazing feeling to be part of the club’s victory on Saturday afternoon.
“It was pretty special, we worked hard all season for this game and to go back to back premiers was a great effort and I couldn't be prouder of the boys,” he said.
“The game was a nail biter. Hunters Hill definitely did their homework on us and really shut us down well.
“We had to stay in the fight, be patient and work hard for each other and points eventually came.
“With some injuries just before half time the boys all had to dig deep to get the job done.”
West said the victory did not come without some very nervous moments, after Ag College, up 15-13, gave away a penalty within range of the goals with a mere minute left on the clock.
“The last minute of the game we were a player down after a sin bin,” he said.
“Hunters Hill took the penalty kick from 40-metres out and on the sideline but the kick fell short.
“That had the heart racing.”
As the ball fell short of the goals, and the prospect of potentially losing the match had vanished, West said the sound of the final whistle was made that much sweeter by the drama.
“It was a great feeling once the whistle blew and all the players and spectators ran out on to the field to celebrate,” he said.
“I was very proud of all the players, they worked hard for this and it's what we set out to achieve from the start.”
West said the whole team played excellent rugby against Hunters Hill, however, a couple of players stood above the rest, including two try scorer Damien Fakafanua.
“Damien played really well at inside centre to score two tries,” he said,
“Our young gun loose head prop Evander Filemu and number eight Tim Wilson worked hard for the entire whole 80 minutes with some great defence.
“Jake Bailey’s boot sealed us the win after nailing a kick from the sideline.”
Hawkesbury Ag College’s 2017 grand final victory made it back to back grand final wins after it also won the third division grand final last year, defeating Brothers.
In 2015, Ag College also made the grand final, only to be beaten by Redfield Old Boys in the third division grand final.
The victory at the weekend was quite a feat, given the step up in class from division three to division two, evidenced by how many of the clubs’ teams made the finals in 2017.
Last season, Ag College saw first and second grade win grand finals, while fourth grade also made the finals, however, this season, only first grade made the cut.
Last week, West told The Gazette that playing in the higher division had been challenging, but that many in the club had risen to meet that challenge.
“The team has been fantastic, the attitude and commitment to each other at training and on game day has been great,” he said
“With better structures across all clubs it's been a good challenge for the team.”
