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Gus on scoresheet in Final win

Gus on scoresheet in Final win

Hugh Barrow20 Aug 2014 - 17:35
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Gus continues to make his mark

AUG 20, 2014
DEWAR SHIELD - 2014 GRAND FINAL MATCH REPORT
REBELS MEDIA UNIT

Harlequin Rugby Club have won back to back Dewar Shield titles, after claiming victory against Box Hill at the Broncos’ Sparks Reserve on Saturday.

‘Quins, who secured the eighth Dewar Shield title, were in control of the contest from the outset, replicating the form that they showed when defeating Box Hill in the Major Semi Final at home two weeks prior. It represents a continuation of a brilliant two years for ‘Quins, whose consistency around the breakdown and in defence has helped them achieve the status as Victorian Rugby’s strongest team.

For Box Hill, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, as the Broncos remarkable transformation from winless wooden spooners to beaten Grand Finalists within twelve months shows just how much improvement they have made, and how much further they can go in 2015 and beyond.

Right from the outset, ‘Quins powerful back row looked deadly and it was their Vice Captain Pom Simona who touched down for the first try just before the ten minute mark after a powerful lineout drive, before fullback Justin Marsters extended the advantage just five minutes later.

Box Hill’s discipline was letting them down, with Pava Makoni sin binned after 22 minutes, and Lloyd Johansson extended Harlequin’s lead with a penalty goal before Melbourne Rising lock Angus Hamilton got their third try with Makoni still off the field.

Box Hill could have thrown in the towel when down 20-0, however fullback Bill Seveti scored either side of half time to reduce the deficit to eight and suggest a comeback remained on the cards. But despite their tenacity, the Broncos simply couldn’t match Quins for class, and a fourth try to the visitors came through Majokah Schuster.

Replacement kicker Kemu Valetini added two penalty goals to further stretch the lead, and while Seveti completed his hat trick one minute from time the final score saw Harlequin defeat Box Hill 33-19, with ‘Quins hooker Kolo Mahe awarded the Man of the Match medal.

Harlequin Head Coach Craig McGrath, who also played scrumhalf for the winners, credited Mahe and his fellow forwards for powering them to victory.

“Our pack were very good, and laid the platform for the win,” McGrath said. “Our backline defended very well also, and were able to contain the exciting Broncos backs.

“We started really well, and we put a lot of pressure on their set piece so that they didn’t have a platform to launch from it. However, you have to be impressed by a team that finished last the season before and were good enough to get to the Grand Final, and Box Hill will be a real threat again next season; they’ll learn a lot from their 2014 finals campaign.”

For Box Hill Head Coach Andrew Slyfield, there was acknowledgement that the better team won, however genuine pride in the Broncos’ turnaround this season.

“Harlequin certainly know how they want to play their game and are very good at executing it,” Slyfield said. “They know their strengths and are very effective in the breakdown which helps them on attack and defence.

“It was a great season for us; we started the season by winning the Albury 10’s, we won the Bruce Bailey blazer back from Harlequins and we finished top equal at the end of the Dewar Shield season.

“We played a style of Rugby that everyone loved to watch, and gave our supporters plenty to cheer about. We got Box Hill back to where it should be, and achieved so much on and off the field. We are a close family and everyone at the club is very proud.

“We have now set a standard in 2014 and the challenge now is maintaining it and growing more as a team. We have come a long way this season, and we will get better and better. We would love to finish one spot higher next season and we will be doing everything possible to achieve that goal. As they say, ‘sometimes you have to lose one to win one’.”

Slyfield reserved special praise for Seveti’s heroics in the decider, and also for Dewar Shield Top Point Scorer Sefanaia Naivalu who had a wonderful first season in Melbourne.

“Bill Seveti has really shown his class in the final series, and didn’t disappoint in the Grand Final when he was rewarded with a hat trick of tries,” Slyfield said. “Noni Puamau threw everything into the game and caused some real damage in contact and Mo Haukinima made some great runs.

“Sefa Naivalu had a great season and was rewarded with selection in the Melbourne Rising team, and hopefully we will see him running out in their colours soon; Greg Bauer deserved his selection as well with a strong season. It was great to see Bill Seveti grow in the 15’s game and Sowani Saunitoga always put his body on the line, the whole year long.”

A wonderful Dewar Shield season has now come to a close, but for the seventeen Dewar Shield players selected in the Melbourne Rising squad, there are plenty of good times to come!

Click here to find out more about the Melbourne Rising, including the squad list, fixtures and season ticket prices.

Harlequin 33

Tries: Simona, Marsters, Hamilton, Schuster

Conversions: Johansson (2)

Penalties: Johansson (1), Valetini (2)

Box Hill 19

Tries: Seveti (3)

Conversions: Naivalu (2)

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