Men’s Combined Affiliated States & Territories Championships
WA 16 VIC 8
BY PETER ROWE
An Eli Beattie try two minutes from time sealed a memorable victory over Victoria as WA took out the CAST men’s championship for the first time in three years in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Fremantle centre was on the end of a fast moving play after Willagee’s Manfred Kelly had given the visiting State side the lead minutes earlier.
It capped a superb weekend for NRLWA, with both men’s and women’s teams triumphant.
But it was a hard-fought encounter, locked up at 4-4 at halftime, Beattie the scorer of that try, before a Tamaho Teirney penalty gave WA a slim two-point lead.
Both sides had chances as the battle up the middle intensified before a superb passage of play from Victoria, with the ball going through several pairs of hands, saw the home team jump into the lead.
Then with seven minutes to go, and pinned on their own five metre line, a big break from Ezra Taomia and Teirney up the middle set the platform for the grandstand finish.
Suddenly, it looked possible – and when an Eddie Proudler kick was deflected to end up in the hands of Manfred Kelly, possible quickly became probable.
The Willagee winger wasted no time in racing for the try line, lifting his jersey in delight with a grin as wide as the Nullarbor to celebrate.
From the kickoff WA exploited the tiring Victorian defence as the ball went from Proudler to captain Kainoa Gudgeon to Beattie – and the job was complete. WA were once again CAST champions.
“It was a move we had worked on,” assistant coach Ryan Foster said.
“We knew they would tire at the end and when we got the chance – a quick passing move and there was space for Eli to cross.”
Foster said before the game coach Edwards had asked every player to take responsibility for each other on the field – and to play well.
“He was inspirational,” Foster said. “It worked. We knew we would have to weather an early onslaught but we slowly began to control the game.
“As they tired our timing was spot on.”
South Perth hooker Jayden Evans was best on ground for the victorious Black and Golds, closely followed by Beattie and Rockingham’s Chris Siddons.
“It was a great tournament, we had some awesome staff supporting our players, as recovery – with three games in three days – was crucial.”
And the mood in the sheds after the game?
“Awesome, lots of happy smiling faces.” And coach Edwards? “Over the moon. After the disappointment of last year he was very happy.”
