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UWA have beaten Nedlands 15-13 in the Premier Grade Grand Final today at Uni.
Congratulations to the University Club, it's been a long time coming.
UWA has claimed their first KWIK Premier Grade Grand Final victory in 39 years by stunning red hot premiership favourites Nedlands 15-13 at McGillivray Oval.
University flyhalf Alan Kingsley was named man of the match as he guided his side brilliantly around the field as well as having the radar switched on in front of goal to boot all of his side’s 15 points.
While Nedlands were able to cross for two tries, they were uncharacteristically wayward on goal to leave plenty of points on the field.
Neddies entered the game having a week off following their 64-13 win over UWA in the major semi-final just a fortnight ago. If there were any mental scars suffered by Uni following the 51 point thrashing it didn’t show as the Students matched their more fancied opponents in both work rate and intensity but importantly took the opportunities on offer.
“I'm delighted,” said Uni Coach Steve McFarland who was named ‘Coach of the Year’ at the Grand Final Breakfast on Friday.
“The last time the club won was 1972 so it's been a long time between drinks and we're all absolutely delighted with this result.
“There were great performances across the park.
“We were very strong on defence and we were far better at the breakdown than we were against Nedlands a couple of weeks ago.
“Alan (Kingsley) in particular was outstanding for us today.
“He was cool, calm and kicked confidently under great pressure.
“In a grand final things are always different but he just looked right at home out there.
“We wanted to play as far in their half as we could but we also wanted to keep the ball away from them because they're a dangerous side on attack as we saw on a number of occasions today.
“Luckily our defence was up to the task and we managed to keep them out when it counted and it was our day today.”
Kingsley opened University's account in the fifth minute striking home from 35m out after Nedlands was caught offside on defence.
The Students lead was short lived as repeated scrum collapses handed Neddies flyhalf Mike Denton the opportunity to drive home a penalty that tied things up at three apiece.
From there Nedlands went on the attack and threatened to cross on a couple of occasions but were kept out by a desperate University defence and a combination of poor handling and decision making in the vital final phase.
It was the Students who had an opportunity to score next after Nedlands were penalised at a scrum but Kingsley's 45m attempt went just wide.
Denton had two shots at goal in the next three minutes after University were caught with their hands in the ruck and then ran into each other on attack resulting in a penalty for obstruction but both kicks were off target.
University added another penalty after Neddies were once again penalised for playing offside and Kingsley stepped up and struck true from just outside the 22.
In the 35th minute Nedlands finally managed to make the most of an attacking chance when scrumhalf Nathan Roberts snapped the ball up at the base of a collapsed maul and darted over next to the breakdown for the first try of the game.
Denton missed the conversion and watched as his opposite number Kingsley tacked on his third and fourth penalties of the day in the space of two minutes to give Uni a four point lead at half time.
The second half began with both sides missing a shot at goal before a barrelling run down the wing by Nedlands prop Toketa Fatai opened up the field allowing the Royal Blues to work the ball quickly across to Juan Pretorius who scored in the opposite corner.
Pretorius took over the kicking duties but failed to convert his own try from right up against the side line and the Nedlands lead remained just one.
Another period of strong attacking play from Neddies, who were only kept out by some outstanding scrambling cover defence from Uni, typified the desperation and determination amongst the UWA squad.
Pretorius had a chance to extend his side's lead with less than 15 minutes left on the clock but Nedlands' kicking woes continued and his attempt from just 20m out and right in front sailed wide.
University supporters on their feet a short time later as winger Fionn McLoughlin cut through the defence and ran deep in to Nedlands territory before winning a penalty when his tackler failed to release.
Kingsley lined up and calmly guided the ball over to put the Students back into the lead.
Pretorius had one last opportunity to put his side back in front when Uni was pinged for hands in the ruck but once again the pressure proved too much and he sent the ball sailing well wide of the goal posts.
A Nedlands scrum in the 80th minute provided the minor-premiers with a final roll of the dice but the ball squirted free and found its way in to the hands of University hooker Ray Barkwill who punted it deep in to the crowd sparking wild celebrations from the UWA players.
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Originally Posted by Ecky
