Collegians secured a place in the Harrigan Cup Grand Final with an impressive performance, defeating Dapto 40–10 in the Preliminary Finals on Saturday at the Collegians Sporting Complex.
Collies scored seven tries to two, with veteran second-rower Charly Runciman scoring a double. Blair Grant kicked six goals from seven attempts as the minor premiers returned to form after last week’s shock loss to the Devils, who they now meet in the decider.
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After a settling-in period where neither team took control, the home side clicked into gear midway through the first half, piling on four tries in just over 10 minutes while the Canaries’ inspirational leader Thomas Fairbairn was off the field for an HIA.
Runciman opened the scoring in the 24th minute, with Dane Nelson following soon after.
Runciman grabbed his second almost immediately, before Blake Dowel (pictured below) crossed in the 35th to put Collegians in complete control.
Blair Grant converted all four attempts sending the hosts into the sheds with a dominant 24-0 lead.
[Watch] Charly Runciman opens the scoring after five-eighth Zac Herring finds a gap in the Canaries defence.
Despite Fairbairn not returning after the break, the Canaries showed some fight early in the second half when Callum Leikvoll crossed in the 43rd minute after an offload from halfback Troy Pieper.
However, their momentum was quickly halted when Collegians answered with a double strike through Duke Grant (main picture) in the 53rd minute and Callum Gromek 56th minute, with Grant adding two more conversions to stretch the margin further.
Dextar Grant sealed the win in the 75th minute before five-eighth Patrick Herbert scored a late consolation for Dapto.
Collegians coach Jimmy Grehan praised the way his side responded after last week’s disappointing 32-0 loss to the Devils.
“Last week wasn’t us. We were just so lucky we got the second opportunity, The boys had earned that during the year but we put it right today.”
Grehan was quick to credit the whole squad for the performance.
“It was an effort from one through to 17, even 18, with our warm-up all the boys played their part.”
While Dapto kept the opening 25 minutes tight, Grehan said his team’s pressure eventually broke the game open.
“It was tight early, but I felt that helped us later in the half. We put a lot of pressure on them.
“I was a little bit worried that the boys might be stressing because we weren’t putting points on, but I knew it would come with the effort we were putting in.”
The Lower Grades
Avondale Wombats will face defending champions, Wests, in next week’s Harrigan Plate decider after ending Corrimal’s finals run with a 50-0 victory.
In the Harrigan Shield Preliminary Final, Figtree prevented an all-Avondale grand final by defeating the Wombats 12-10. The Crushers will now go up against the Avondale Greyhounds in the Grand Final.
Fly Time: Avondale Wombats interchange player gets some airtime on the way to the tryline.
Grand Final Day Fixtures, WIN Stadium, Saturday, 13 September
11.30am – Harrigan Shield – Avondale Greyhounds v Figtree Crushers
1.15pm – Harrigan Plate – Wests Devils v Avondale Wombats
3.pm – Harrigan Cup – Collegians v Wests Devils
Buy Now >> Early Bird Grand Final Tickets
Words | Angelina Raula
Photos | Rob Sheeley