05/09/2010
Brighton march on to Grand Final
Print by Huw Cushing.
Minor premier’s Brighton stamped their claim as rightful favourites for 2010 champions with a crushing win over Onkaparinga in the first semi-final.
A tight contest was predicted by most as first played second on a heavy pitch in swirling winds, but Brighton separated themselves from all competitors with a stunning high score victory, 45-0.
After a Brighton kick-off, a turn-over quickly brought Brighton within 5 metres of the try line, managing to maintain possession for several phases until a penalty was drawn from Onkaparinga’s defence, giving Brighton easy first points as fullback Londema converted his first of many kicks.
After torrential rains all week and five matches having been played on the pitch earlier in the day, kicking became the chief point of play from both teams in the first half, as Onkaparinga tried in vain to convert penalties in the face of prevailing winds to get on the score board.
A drop goal from 25 metres out was even attempted by Onkaparinga outside centre Warren on a pitch that had no grass, sending the ball straight into the turf to trickle forward 15 metres.
Despite trailing, Onkaparinga looked the better team, dominating possession for the remainder of the half due to the strength of their forwards Kingi and Pahau as well as good hands from right wing Tapara and fullback Knaijer.
Even though Onkaparinga controlled the ball and the games tempo, they couldn’t claim the lead, which Brighton made them pay for swiftly as Londema torpedoed the ball 40 metres up pitch, keeping it in play to have it scooped up and put down for the games first try before the siren.
Brighton emerged from the change-rooms after the break in fresh Guernsey’s to the horror of Onkaparinga fans, but perhaps the extra warmth and shed kilo’s of earth from their backs gave them their new found speed which would see them put down another four tries in the match.
As the second half progressed, so did Brighton’s confidence, moving sideways in the heavy pitch and passing long to generate room making the semi final between first and second look like a training drill.
The only Onkaparinga highlight to be found in the second half was fullback Knaijer’s explosive tackle on Wilkins just metres from scoring on the left wing.
All other Brighton attacks went unchallenged as casual tries from Laidlaw, Wilkins, Wilson and Brown left nothing for Onkaparinga fans to cling to.
Accurate kicking from Londema and quick aggressive play from Laidlaw helped ensure a Brighton victory, giving the club a crucial one week respite before their grand final match in two weeks.
The loss for Onkaparinga means playing a knock-out final against Burnside in a week’s time.
Here are the rest of the results from Saturday and Sunday’s semi-finals,
PREMIER GRADE Burnside 13, def Old Collegians 6
RESERVE GRADE Brighton 31, def Old Collegians 9
RESERVE GRADE Port 12, def Burnside 8
3RD GRADE Old Collegians 10, def Port Adelaide 0
3RD GRADE Burnside 13, def Brighton 0
4TH GRADE Southern Suburbs 16, def North East Districts 7
4TH GRADE Burnside 27, def Brighton 0
WOMEN’S GRADE Old Collegians 12, def Woodville 0
WOMEN’S GRADE Souths 32, def Burnside 12
Under 12's Brighton 'B' 21, def Burnside 5
Under 12's Onkaparinga 29, def NEDs 0
Under 14’s Burnside-2, 14, def Burnside-1, 10
Under 14’s Onkaparinga 22, def Vikings 7
Under 16's Burnside 37 def Vikings 18
Under 16's Souths 20 def Onkaparinga 0
Under 18's Southern Suburbs 19, def Old Collegians 0
Under 18's Onkaparinga 17, def Burnside 8