Just three seasons into their separation from Group Six Country Rugby League, the East Campbelltown Eagles will this Sunday be shooting for their second premiership in the prestigious Sydney Shield competition.
The Eagles scored a thrilling seven point win over Mounties to claim the 2014 Sydney Shield title, their inaugural year in the competition.
Two years later the same two clubs will contest the decider and the Mounties will be keen to avenge their 2014 defeat.
Parramatta Stadium will host the Sydney Shield grand final, with a scheduled 12.15pm kickoff.
The 2016 Ron Massey Cup and Intrust Super Premiership grand finals will also be held later in the day.
Centre Ben Baker bagged an amazing five tries when East Campbelltown disposed of St Mary’s 40-6 at Campbelltown Stadium in the grand final qualifier on Sunday.
The Eagles had a flying start to the match: half Wayde Dunley made a break and he was able to put Baker over for his first try of the afternoon.
Five minutes later it was on again when a Michael Stevens break led to Ben Baker getting his second.
Baker bagged his third when he chased through a kick from Stevens and the Eagles were leading 16-0 in a very short space of time.
The only fly in the ointment for the Eagles was having Sama Sauvao sinbinned for a professional foul late in the first half.
But being a man short didn’t stop the Eagles in the second half.
Strong running centre Fusi Toutai crashed over and Baker converted to make the lead 22-0.
It was followed by a clever play from the Eagles blind side which gifted Baker his fourth meat pie of the day.
The Eagles made it 30-0 when a well placed kick from Baker found Chris Standing and he was able to plant it over the line for a four pointer.
St Mary’s finally got on the board with a try, but the Eagles returned fire when flying winger Amanono Tovio scored in the corner after he was set up by his wing partner Craig Moustakas.
Right on the bell Ben Baker scored his fifth try to match the club record set by Ricky Green in the 2001 Eagles premiership winning team.
The man of the match award went to Sean Connor, while Fred Tevega, Mason Talolua, Ben Baker and captain John Da Silva were also standouts for the Eagles.
Coach Richard Barnes said after the siren: “We are really hitting our straps and playing the best possible footy.
“But we received some bad injuries to key players Mason Talolua, Fusi Toutai and Sean Connor, so we will have to make some positional changes for next week’s grand final.’’
♦ A supporters bus will be leaving Bradbury Hotel from 10.30am; to book your seat please contact Daniel Draper on 0425 335 345.
