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 Avondale Wombats' finals joy 

Avondale Wombats' finals joy

14 Sep, 2009 12:49 PM
Avondale will get the chance to make up for last year's grand final heartbreak after accounting for title-holders Shoalhaven 32-19 in Saturday's final at Vikings Field.

The Wombats have booked a premiership showdown with Tech Waratahs, who won the minor premiership and will start as favourites.

"We're over the moon to be back in the grand final," Avondale club captain Andrew Tink said.

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    "Losing last year was very disappointing, but a lot of guys learned a lot and last year's experience should serve us well."

    That the Wombats reached the grand final at the expense of Shoalhaven - emphatically outscoring them five tries to one - only amplified their joy.

    "They've been our bogey side for a few years so it was good to knock them out," Tink said.

    Shoalies started strongly on Saturday and were protecting a 16-12 lead late in the first half.

    But Avondale scored a minute before half-time to forge ahead 17-16 at the break and kept their try-line intact for the entire second half.

    "We came out flat the week before in the major semi-final against Tech, but the effort was there against Shoalhaven and you could tell in the warm-up that the boys were really up for it," Tink said.

    "We've had a lot of sickness running through the club at the wrong time of the year and it made training disjointed last week because we didn't know who would play and who wouldn't play.

    "But the guys put all that aside because they were really hungry to make the grand final. Their attitude was spot on and they really stuck together. They knew there was no second chance and they stuck to their guns for 80 minutes and closed it out."

    Avondale's points came via tries to Trevor Patrick, Ian Ross, Chris Jack, Chris Creber and Chris Tausala, while Jacob Hurst kicked two conversions and a penalty goal.

    Sam Watts scored Shoalhaven's only try, with Leith Cooper booting three penalties, one conversion and a field goal.

  • "They were better on the day. We had some opportunities but we just didn't take them," Shoalies co-coach Chris Watts said.

    "Considering the injuries we had this year when we had 22 blokes out at one stage in first and second grade, the boys did really well to get this far. But they're disappointed that we're out. Losing never gets any easier."

    The Wombats went narrowly close to repeating last year's feat of having three teams in the grand final, losing Saturday's second grade final 20-19 to Camden and the third grade final by the exact same score to University.

    "We were very happy to win the club championship again, but obviously we're very disappointed our second and third grade boys won't be playing on grand final day, especially after they both only lost by a point," Tink said.

    "Everyone got through the game unscathed so we should have our full 15 available next week. Tech are a good team, but if we play to our potential we'll definitely back ourselves 100 per cent to get the result we're after."

    Grand final draw for Saturday's grand final at WIN Stadium: Third grade, noon - Shamrocks v University. Second grade, 1.25pm - Vincentia v Camden. First grade, 3.05pm - Tech Waratahs v Avondale.

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    comments


    Date: Newest first | Oldest first
    You gotta love some of Tink's comments. Avondale certainly stuck to their guns for 80 minutes as he said. The plan was obviously to go down injured as much as possible to give the big boys a rest and disturb Shoalies continuity. It worked and good luck to ya. TTs know it, the refs know it, and it won't be allowed to happen next Saturday. TTs by 8
    Posted by The Dog, 14/09/2009 9:56:14 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
    Always finding an excuse to bag out the wombats.... Come Saturday, Tech will be wounded & plenty of injuries.... Beware the bite of the wombat!!
    Posted by Wombat, 14/09/2009 11:07:02 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
    Anyone got a good recipe for wombat stew?
    Posted by Chef, 14/09/2009 12:59:40 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    whateve the recipe, it must have a lot of lard in it...
    Posted by tech boy, 14/09/2009 1:30:52 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    Good to see ya made it 'wombat', but that don't mean jack. We know how to beat all around the park bro, so bring it on. Don't go using tactics like last Sat. where injuries are faked so the big hitters can get a rest. We will run you around mate, quick scrums and play the balls, so you will have to turn and chase us. Your big fellas can only keep up the pace for 50 mins. and you know that already, so look out! Go TECH! This is OUR season! Oh, by the way, what happened in 2nds and 3rds? Hahahaha! ya gotta larff! We play for the pride in OUR jumper! hahahaha!
    Posted by Count, 14/09/2009 1:32:30 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    We In the Illawarra, southern Highlands, shoalhaven and north to engadine, all wish TECH the best of luck on Saturday in the G.F. against the hillbillys. Give them a real touch up for us all. Go TECH!
    Posted by Convict 181061, 14/09/2009 1:52:35 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    Hey 'Chef', of course there is a recipe for wombat stew. Tech tars used it last week at Woonona, and didn't it taste great. Start off with a wombat, run it around so it don't know where it is, and runs out of puff, then add some quick play the balls and rucks, add some fine positional kicking and then some set moves. After all this, you finish with some slick trys under the posts, and for desert you have some penalty goals because the wombat don't like being cooked. After all this is done, sit back and enjoy the celebrations with everyone one else who turned up for the banquet.
    Posted by Miss Piggy, 14/09/2009 2:00:15 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    Why would you want 'plenty of injuries' wombat?. Let's hope neither sides players sustain injuries.
    Posted by SC1, 14/09/2009 2:06:09 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    It's gonna be another sad year for Avondale, 2 losses last week and another this coming sat. Tech will carve em up. Go Tech.......you'll do it eeeasy!
    Posted by Big Billy, 14/09/2009 2:16:42 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
    No receipe for a wombat hungi, just dig hole and put it in the ground!
    Posted by Count, 14/09/2009 2:28:49 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
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    Shoalhaven's Mick Johnston tackles Murray McDonald of Avondale in Saturday's game. The Wombats won 32-19 and will take on Tech Waratahs in the grand final. Picture: ROBERT PEET
    Shoalhaven's Mick Johnston tackles Murray McDonald of Avondale in Saturday's game. The Wombats won 32-19 and will take on Tech Waratahs in the grand final. Picture: ROBERT PEET

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