ON THE MOVE Norths Under 17 Forward Mafiou Cherif charges to the line in his side’s victory over Goodna.
THE ACS Group A Grade Grand Final opponent for Brothers was decided on the weekend when Swifts bounced back from their first loss of the season to defeat a gallant Redbank Plains Bears 26 – 18.
Swifts has now set up a re-match of the 2021 decider and will be out to show Brothers the major semi loss was only a small hiccup.
Redbank went into this clash as major underdogs but were the first team on the board in only the second
minute when Prop Riley Leota found a gaping hole to charge 40 metres and score underneath the posts.
Both teams then settled down into their patterns, but the defensive lines of both teams were holding until two of the biggest men on the field for Swifts in Wilson Malaesilia and Jericho Tanavasa scored tries for the Bluebirds and they looked likely to run away with the game.
Redbank’s fullback and biggest attacking weapon Ono So’oialo injected himself into the game and scored a great try before the halftime leveling up the scores at 12 – 12, and that’s what it would remain as the players went off for a well-earned break.
Redbank Assistant Coach Alistair Tauaa was happy with his team’s first half but knew that Swifts would keep coming as they are regarded as the fittest team in the competition.
“We needed to get more possession in the second half and do positive things with the ball in hand,” Tauaa said.
Finch on the other hand wasn’t to upset with his side’s first half but knew his team had to step up another gear.
Step up another gear they did by playing some simple football which included getting better field position and applying more pressure on the Bears.
This pressure enabled them to sit at the right end of the field for long periods forcing the Bears into several errors which the Bluebirds pounced on with tries to Luke Rea and City Cave Player of the
Match Ofisa Teo.
The score now had blown to 22 -12 and Swifts were starting to gain the upper hand.
This was made a lot easier when Redbank Hooker Michael Eldridge was sin binned for a professional foul
and while he was cooling his heels on the sideline Nemani Velakapa crossed to put the game to bed opening up a 14 point lead with only seven minutes remaining.
The Bears did score a consolation try but it was all too late.
“We didn’t get enough of the possession, and they were more disciplined than us,” Taaua said after the match. While dejected Taaua had special praise for Tofu Oloitoa, Sam Pau and Riley Leota who all put in super efforts.
This win now sees a rematch of the 2021 Grand Final where Swifts were victorious, Grand Final day starts with reserves at 12.30.
