Picton are celebrating their hard-fought 22-10 win in the 2018 Group 6 Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN, of Macarthur Sports Radio:
The Magpies were made to earn the win over The Oaks Tigers in front of a vocal crowd at Campbelltown Stadium and in perfect spring conditions.
Winning their fourth premiership in less than 10 years also confirmed the Magpies status as a modern era Group 6 powerhouse.
Picton had to come from behind to claim the Norman L Day Cup over the Tigers, who fought all afternoon, and tested the Magpies across the park.
The Tigers drew first blood in the grand final when Mitchell Richards scored the opening try of the match on nine minutes, giving the vocal supporters from the Burragorang Valley hope of an upset win.
Picton captain coach Michael Lett, who was instrumental in leading his side to victory, scored after 16 minutes, giving the Magpies fans who made the trip north something to cheer about, as they led 6-4.
Big Henry Iuta crashed over 16 minutes before halftime, and the warning bells were ringing on the Tigers’ bench, as the Magpies led 12-4.
Picton winger Michael Purcell showed some incredible footwork as he tiptoed along the touchline and scored in the corner with 10 minutes left on the clock.
At 16-4 it looked like Picton were going to run away with the decider, but the Tigers hung in and continued to match the Magpies up the middle.
A penalty goal on the siren to Mitchell Brasington saw the Tigers reduce the deficit to 10 points at 16-6 as they headed to the rooms, giving them some confidence ahead of the final 40 minutes.
The Oaks came out firing in the second half, with Richards bagging his second eight minutes after the resumption, and at 16-10, the game was well and truly on, with the Tigers throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Magpies.
Scoring dried up after that as both sides fought for supremacy in the ruck.
A penalty goal to Picton hooker Anthony Provost extended the Picton lead to eight with 17 minutes lef, but the Tigers kept coming, making the Magpies earn every metre.
The final try of the game came with nine minutes to go, when Picton centre Pat Bolea scored on the left-hand side.
But even at 22-10 Picton knew they weren’t home yet, as The Oaks kept pushing hard for a reply.
In the end, the Tigers were unable to crack the Picton line.
The Oaks tried to push passes late, but none went to hand, as the Magpies’ defence stiffened in the final minutes to hold on for a thoroughly deserved grand final victory.
Picton halfback Tim Dengate was judged to be man of the match in the grand final.
Dengate was instrumental in the Magpies’ win, steering his side around the park well all afternoon.
In the other grades, Oran Park won a spiteful Reserve Grade Grand Final 36-14 over Mittagong, while Narellan held off Picton 28-26 in a thrilling Under 18’s decider in the other Sunday matches.
On Saturday, Campbelltown City defeated Warragamba 26-18 in Second Division and its City Blue defeated Narellan 18-16 in the League Tag 1 division decider.
Picton scraped past The Oaks 12-8 in the League Tag 2 match, which went to Golden Point extra time at Harvey Shephard Field, Camden.
RESULTS – 2018 GROUP 6 GRAND FINALS
First Grade Picton Magpies 22 def The Oaks Tigers 10.
Reserve Grade Oran Park Chargers 36 def Mittagong Lions 14.
Under 18 Narellan Jets 28 def Picton Magpies 26.
Second Division Campbelltown City 26 def Warragamba Wombats 18.
League Tag 1 City Blue 18 def Narellan Jets 16.
League Tag 2 Picton Magpies 12 def The Oaks Tigers 8 (golden point extra time. Match 8-8 at fulltime).
