IT has returned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Group 10 premier league trophy has come back to Bathurst after St Pat’s claimed their first title in six years, defeating the Cowra Magpies 34-12 at Sid Kallas Oval yesterday.
A man-of-the-match hat-trick to hooker Benjamin John, some resilient Pat’s defence and an increasingly frustrated Magpies side proved the right ingredients as the Bathurst side spoiled the party for the hosts.
Cowra’s forwards may have looked more threatening through the opening half, but some Pat’s line breaks and more creativity in attack got them to a 14-4 lead at half-time.
Pat’s had the majority of the possession in the second half, as the home side’s discipline started to dissipate. When Magpies five-eighth Jeremy Gordon was sent off for throwing a punch 10 minutes from full-time, the hosts’ fighting spirit departed as well.
Stepping into the coaching role this year, Kurt Hancock’s impact on the Bathurst club has been noticeable from the opening weeks of the competition.
Bringing the team into the final match of the year, after guiding his side to the minor premiership, his message was simple: to just have fun on the big day.
It certainly paid dividends.
“We prepared well this week and our goal was to just enjoy the day and you could see that in our footy,” he said.
“We’ve been the most consistent team all year. They’re a great bunch of fellas, they do whatever they’re told – most of the time. We’re really going to enjoy this one.
“Our outside backs were great, our halves were excellent. Garry Reilly’s kicking boot was on. The plan worked really well – we had one and they stuck to it. They deserve it.”
Hancock also gave his thanks to Cowra for not only a good game but bringing an excellent atmosphere to their home ground.
“This match has been great for the town.
“I’m from a similar place in Kempsey and I know how big it is when these sorts of occasions come to these smaller towns,” he said.
“To not get the money, it’s disappointing for them, but they’re a good team and I’m sure if they take in this same squad they’ll remain a really strong team.”
While Pat’s had the first attacking opportunity of the game, Cowra immediately got on the offensive with back-to-back sets on the visitors’ try line.
The positive start for the Magpies culminated in a leaping try for Toby Nobes on the right wing off a well-placed Tim Holman kick 10 minutes in.
Just minutes later, Reilly made an intercept on the half-way line to score in the corner and level it up a 4-all.
That try against the run of play seemed to kick Pat’s into gear.
Cyp Ale had been causing problems for the Magpies’ defence early on and his line break and following offload allowed Derryn Clayton to give Pat’s the lead for the first time.
Pat’s also lifted in defence, surviving back-to-back sets near their try-line with 10 minutes until the break.
On the stroke of half-time, John was gifted a try by the posts when he produced a familiar dart over the line from dummy-half.
John went from hero to villain from the opening kick-off when his knock-on led to a Jay McClintock try on the following Cowra set.
Just like in the first half, Pat’s found a way to hit back almost immediately and this time it was John out to right his wrongs with yet another try from a run out of dummy-half.
Cowra enjoyed a resurgent period as their forwards once again found their stride to deliver them some great gains.
Holman scooped up a loose ball to run 50 metres for a try down the left side of the field to make it 20-12 to Pat’s.
From that point on, however, Sid Kallas Oval became a blue and white playground.
John gave Cowra a case of deja vu as he caught his opponents unaware with yet another try from short range out of dummy-half.
One of Cowra’s best chances of the half, sending the ball to an overlap on the left side, was blocked with yet another Reilly intercept.
With 16 minutes to go, Pat’s almost extended the lead through Ben Hews, but the ball fell loose before being grounded.
John was keen for try number four for the day when he made a line break near the halfway line, but lost the ball.
Down 26-12 and needing more than two converted tries to give themselves a chance, Cowra’s tensions boiled over as Gordon’s tangle with Pat’s captain Mick Armstrong led to the Magpies half being given his marching orders.
While Ale was sin-binned from the ensuing scuffle, leaving both sides down a player, it all came apart for Cowra eight minutes from full-time.
A Luke Single try for Pat’s and Cowra’s Jack Nobes’ binning for dissent just minutes later prevented any chance the Magpies had of delivering a miracle comeback similar to the one Pat’s applied to the Mudgee Dragons a week earlier.
Reilly chewed up the clock with a pair of late penalty goals.
The victory brings the Group 10 title back to Bathurst for the first time since Pat’s last won in 2008.
It was a welcome high point for the club after their league tag and first division sides failed in their bids for grand final success earlier in the day.
ST PAT’S 34 (Benjamin John 3, Garry Reilly, Derryn Clayton, Luke Single tries; Reilly 3 conversions; Reilly 2 penalty goals) defeated COWRA MAGPIES 12 (Toby Nobes, Jay McClintock, Tim Holman tries; Jeremy Gordon conversion)