The F word – forfeit – reared its ugly head on the eve of the grand final threatening to derail the Collegians under 16 girls side bid to win the premiership with 15 wins from 15 matches.
After a magnificent run in the NSWRL combined south western conference competition the Collies girls last week stormed into the grand final against St Christopher’s.
Originally scheduled for Saturday at Campbelltown Sports Ground, the grand final was then set down for Sunday just after noon.
The new time and day clashed with some of the players’ religious commitments on Sunday and it would have meant they could miss that day’s church service.
But disaster was averted and coach Tim Hawke was able to field a full side when the teams ran on to the field for the 2019 grand final.
Once on the field there was no way Collegians were ever going to lose, although St Christopher’s put up a mighty fight in going down 22-18 in a terrific game of women’s rugby league.
“After much adversity this week with these wonderful bunch of girls we have taken out the premiership,’’ Hawke said after the match.
“It was an unbelievable effort in hot conditions – we battled and tackled our backsides off,’’ he said in praise of his charges.
The game ebbed and flowed as both teams gave it their all.
“St Christopher’s turned up to play with a very strong performance but our girls just dug their heels in,’’ Hawke said.
Try scorers were Luisa Yaranamua (2), Bronwyn Oloaga, Losana Lutu, Folau Vaki with Luisa Yaranamua finding the conditions tough kicking one from five.
But it didn’t matter because defence saved the day for Collegians, crowned undefeated champions of 2019 and having won every single one of their 15 games.
Folau Vaki was named player of the grand final.
“To take out the NSWRL south western conference says a lot about the talent of these young ladies,’’ Hawke said.
