The Ellenbrook Rabbitohs finally won a game in normal time, in a complete heartstopper against the imposing Rockingham Sharks, to win their U17 Boys FTG&P Premiership.
Ellenbrook, who had played two golden point matches in the first two weeks of the finals, were high on emotion, but the question remained if they could maintain the intensity after two emotional weeks, against the best team in the competition after the regular season.
And the Sharks scored first, through a relatively simple but smart play from hooker Taniela Te Rauna. After a bumping run from Taimana Hurihanganui, Te Rauna fired a bullet pass across two defenders and found an unmarked Levi Downs who will never score an easier try in his life. With Ariki Whitlock-Walker nailing the sideline conversion, the Sharks led 6-0.
This seemed to wake up the Rabbitohs, who through their captain and player of the game, Htoo Adee, starting playing some enterprising ball. After a break down the left edge, inspired by Leevye George and Norman Hayes, the Rabbitohs went deep into Sharks territory. Unfortunately a few plays later, a toe on the sideline denied Hayes a try and the Sharks had survived, through some great defensive work from Jimari Chaiban.
But the Rabbitohs and that man Hayes wouldn’t be denied for long. Again the Rabbitohs found themselves in striking position two minutes later, and it was that connection again, with George putting Hayes away, and he made no mistake, dotting down in the corner. With Adee also nailing the conversion, we were back to 6-6 and with everything to play for.
The next 10 minutes of the game was a torrid affair, with both teams trading blows. Asic-Wade Evans from the Bunnies asserted himself with some line breaks, while Ben Lee for the Sharks continued to cause issues for the Ellenbrook edges. The game seemed on a knife edge, and needed an injection. And the person to give that was young Billy Woolmer. Put into the game to make a difference, he jumped out of dummy half and threw a dummy Thurston himself would have been proud of, that fooled the camera man, and dived over.
With not long till half time, discipline as always reared its head, and the Sharks were penalised and the Rabbitohs went back on the attack. And after a kick wasn’t defused, and the Bunnies were 10 metres out right in front of the posts the Bunnies had their chance. Formby Turner pick the ball up at lock, and run, ducked, spun out of 4 defenders to score under the posts, and at 12-12, we were sent to halftime with the game completely in the balance.
Back from half time and the Rabbitohs looked to have the better running. Constantly menacing the Sharks line, the Rockingham side held firm and denied the Rabbitohs time and again. But once the Sharks went up the other end they took their chance. 13 minutes into the half, it was Woolmer again who this time became provider, as he jumped out, drew in three defenders, and found Whitlock-Walker, who slammed the ball down and celebrated with his own supporters. Nailing the extras, was that going to be the death blow? With fifteen minutes remaining there was still plenty to come in this fixture.
With again penalties and dropped ball hurting the Sharks, Braithen Thompsons kicking game came to the fore, and put intense pressure on the Rockingham line. And they finally cracked. With nine minutes remaining, that man Thompson threw a triple cut out pass, which found George again on that left hand edge, and a beautiful dummy and left foot step saw him slice straight through and score. Adee, with ice in his veins, nailed the conversion, and at 18 all, could it be possible that the Rabbitohs were heading for extra time again?
Not if their captain could help it. On the last play in the ensuing set, on a short blindside, Adee recieved the ball, put a kick through and recieved a peach of a bounce to regather, step the fullback and while stumbling, outpace the defenders to put the Rabbitohs in front for the first time of the match. At 24-18 there was still over 4 minutes remaining in this one.
As has been the case all day, the kick off eluded the Bunnies and the Sharks went straight back n the attack. And it was an all out assault. Three penalties. No less than eight try saving tackles, along with three players being held up over the line, the Bunnies scrambled like no other and held on for dear life. But there was still a twist to come in this tale.
In the final moments the Bunnies were awarded the penalty, but the Rabbitohs celebrated like the game was over, and the referee reversed the penalty after the Ellenbrook players left the field and the Sharks had one more shot.
A cross field kick was taken by the Sharks, but in a game saving play, Hayes was there wrap the player up in a beautiful ball and all tackle, and then dive on the ensuing crumbs to send their bench and supporters crazy, and finish what was a fitting end to an amazing grand final, and Junior Grand Final Day.
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs 24
Tries – Norman Hayes, Formby Turner, Leevye George, Htoo Adee
Conversions – Htoo Adee (4)
Rockingham Sharks 18
Tries – Levi Downs, Billy Woolmer, Ariki Whitlock-Walker
Conversions – Ariki Whitlock-Walker (3)
Player Of The Match – Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – #1 Htoo Adee
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