In the FTG&P U14 Boys Grand Final, the Kwinana Titans made up for their shock loss in last years decider, by finally getting the job done against a never say die Ellenbrook Rabbitohs, who finished the game with a flourish to make the Titans supporters nervous.
The Titans started fast today, and did all the early running, with only a desperate try saving tackle from winger Phoenix Elliott keeping them from dotting down early. But early on both fullbacks were showing the class, with Daniel O’Reilly and Zane Murray both showing their class for their teams early on.
And when the Rabbitohs got their chance after 8 minutes, it was Murray with the try saving tackle on Ellenbrook star Tobi Gray to deny them their chance. It really was a test for both teams, but an error put the Rabbitohs on the defensive and finally the dam broke.
After some good lead up play, halfback Inglis Tau-Tamatoa sent a nice long pass to Murray on the sweep play, and he put the afterburners on to slice through the line and put the Titans on the scoreboard. And they weren’t done, as only a few sets later it was Murray turning provider this time. After putting centre Tayan Bailey in space, he just enjoyed the show as Bailey cut through 3 defenders and dotted down to put the Titans up 8-0 in the space of 5 minutes. Rabbitohs needed to answer.
And as it usually does, the football gods have a sense of humour sometimes, as the kick off isn’t fielded by the Titans, and the Rabbitohs go immediately on the attack. The Bunnies did not waste it, as Elijah Taite-Ravlick caught the Titans napping at dummy half and the deficit was cut to two.
And that sparked the Rabbitohs into action. O’Reilly broke through the line and only the desperation of Murray at the back for the Kwinana faithful kept him from scoring, but it was only temporary as the powerful Tobi Gray spun out of 4 defenders to score and put the Rabbitohs in control at 12-8, with Jai Ah-Nau’s goal kicking on song, and halftime sounding.
After the half-time break, again it was the Titans who looked the fresher, with Kyarran Chaiban and Raiden Tumai both making linebreaks early on. And Kwinana took advantage through their second rower Benjamin Keelan, who just wanted to score more than anyone else around him. With Murray finding his range with the conversion, the Titans took the lead at 14-12.
Again the Titans made a mess of the kick off, but this time it doesn’t cost them as the Rabbitohs knock the ball on. With a scrum on their own line, Kwinana give the ball to their strike weapon in Murray, and with space and room he might be the most dangerous junior player in the state. Zane shrugs two tackles, beats the fullback and then sprints 70 metres to put them up 20-12 and right in the drivers seat.
And the Titans weren’t done, after some strong runs, Tumai made a break and put them deep on the attack once again, and another backline sweep put the ball in Murray’s hands, and he duly put the speed boosters on and put the Titans further in front, converting a hat trick of tries.
And in the next set, when Tumai broke through and scored from halfway it seemed like it was a bridge too far for the Bunnies. At 28-12 with only 8 minutes on the clock, it seemed like the Titans had their hands on the trophy.
But the game is never that simple, and the Bunnies would not yield. After earning themselves a repeat set through Mayson Teiri, the Bunnies went all out. After some bursting runs from O’Relly and Teiri gave them momentum, Gray again beat 4 defenders on his way to a scintillating try, and at 28-18 there was a glint of hope on the horizon.
But with 3 minutes on the clock, surely there was not enough time. Well no one told the Rabbitohs. Three tackles after the kick off, O’Reilly continued their resurgence. Getting the ball on halfway, he breezed through the defensive line and took on Murray and dragged him the final 15 metres to score. And suddenly the score is 28-24 and there is still time on the clock!
But, the miracle comeback was not to be, with a fairly benign ending, the Titans hung on for dear life after coasting in the final 8 minutes, in a ending their coach will not want to live through again.
Kwinana Titans 28
Tries – Zane Murray (3), Tayan Bailey, Benjamin Keelan, Raiden Tumai
Conversions – Zane Murray (2)
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs 24
Tries – Elijah Taite-Ravlick, Tobias Gray (2), Daniel O’Reilly
Conversions – Jai Ah-Nau (4)
Player Of The Match – Kwinana Titans – #1 Zane Murray
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