23/07/2016 

2015 champions Grammar TEC will have the opportunity to defend the Gallaher Shield after a 27-19 semi-final victory over College Rifles today. 

While College Rifles has set the standard all season they were confronted by a strong, experienced Grammar TEC side who took their chances and defended with vigour. 

Grammar TEC was led by big performances from Scott Scrafton and brothers Simon and Jono Hickey. 

Territory was the order of the day in early exchanges, with both teams putting ball to boot for some aerial ping pong.

A breakdown penalty against College Rifles gave Jono Hickey a shot at goal but his attempt fell clear.

When the home side received a penalty they went for the corner and it ended up paying dividends.

College Rifles won the line out and after a few phases sent a chip kick through the line, powerful winger Joe Ravouvou won the race, scoring the opening try of the semi final. The conversion was missed, College Rifles holding an early 5-0 lead.

As would be expected Grammar TEC responded, a good clearing kick deep in to the College Rifles half, followed by the first of many line out steals, had them in good field position.

It was first five-eighths Simon Hickey that was able to slide through the smallest of defensive holes and go over the try line close to the posts. Older brother Jono Hickey converted to give Grammar TEC a 7-5 advantage.

College Rifles had a few shots at goal midway through the half in attempt to steal the lead back but fullback Otu Mausia was not on target.

Grammar TEC centre Otulea Katoa looked to be away for a try after a midfield intercept but was called back for a penalty. Katoa was strong for Grammar TEC and often proved to be a handful for the College Rifles defence.

Fullback Brendan Ward and Jono Hickey combined to get Grammar TEC in good position, Simon Hickey looked to be in for his second but was held up.

The visitors were able to score though, Jono Hickey converting an offside penalty for the 10-5 lead.

Grammar TEC held the five-point lead going into the half time break and came out firing in the second.

With College Rifles knocking on the opening kick off, Grammar TEC were on the front foot and after a few pick-and-goes at the line it was Nili Moala that powered over.

Just minutes later Ward intercepted a speculative pass and raced 50 metres for a try to put Grammar TEC out to a 24-5 advantage.

College Rifles had some opportunities of their own, from the ensuing kick off Josh Brajkovic was strong, going close to the line but Grammar TEC turned the ball over for Hickey to clear.

Hickey extended the lead with a long range penalty before College Rifles’ efforts were finally rewarded.

Able to string together long sets of phases in the second half it was industrious flanker Jeremy Innes that ran strongly through the Grammar TEC defence to score. The deficit for the home team 12-24.

College Rifles had plenty of ball in the closing stages but could not find a way through the Grammar TC defence.

The visitors were forced to play out the closing stages with 14 men after replacement back Corey Niwa was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.

College Rifles was rewarded for their commitment with an 80th minute try to Loketi Manu but it was too little, too late.

College Rifles coach John Clough was honest in his assessment of the match.

“Big games do funny things to players. They came out firing, they had a plan and we just weren’t good enough today.

“Hats off to Joe (Snee) and his team, too many experience players that were out there, been there before, it was a tough lesson for us,” said Clough.

Grammar TEC coach Joe Snee was pleased with arguably his team’s best performance of the season.

“We knew they’d be up to it, we put them under pressure. We changed up the way we play to suit the game and adapted really well. Absolutely one of our best performances of the year.”

Grammar Tec 27 (N Moala, B Ward, S Hickey tries, J Hickey 3 con, 2 pen) 

College Rifles 19 (J Ravouvou, H Edwards, L Manu tries, O Mausia 2 con) Halftime: 10-5