It's from Balmain but I thought it was a great piece of writing.
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The Newtown Bluebags must still be smarting over the loss of the 1944 premiership to the Black and Golds, despite their having two bites of the cherry, or maybe they are still prickly over Balmain beating them in their last ever home game back in 1983. Either way, they always fire up when the two clubs lock horns, and last Saturday's visit by Balmain Ryde-Eastwood to the former brickpit that is Henson Park was no exception.
Adding to the drama, this was the first leg of the Ryan-Pringle Shield, awarded each year to the winner of the home and away series between the Balmain DRLFC and Newtown DRLFC, and named after two unforgettable legends whom played for both clubs with merit.
Once the dust had settled, after thirteen tries and an extraordinary seven lead changes, a penalty conversion by Newtown at the death proved the difference and they took out what was an absolute corker of a game 36-34.
The wags on the hill had barely opened their KB's when the Bluebags, on the back of a penalty which catapulted them to Balmain's line, crossed under the sticks. The conversion made it 6-0. A few sets later the Bluebags spread the pill wide and crossed in the North East corner. Nathan Merritt seemed shaken by the bellow of "lolly legs" echoing around the ground and shanked his kick, keeping the score at 10-0 after as many minutes. This would prove to be the greatest leading margin of any team throughout the entire match.
In the 19th and 21st minutes the Black and Golds posted back to back converted tries, the first to the colossal Jeff Lima, on the back of a sneaky Balmain intercept, and the second to the classy John Wilson, whom backed up inside after a 40 metre rampage by Chris "Rhino" Heighington. Balmain's 12-10 lead would last just 4 minutes.
Another penalty to the home side marched them to within 30 metres of their target, and a simple angled run from their hooker led to a try under the black dot. A kick over the same dot returned the lead to the Bluebags 16-12.
One minute before the half-time break Balmain's new halfback, Dean Byrne, intercepted a dusty pass that floated forward into the defence line and then showed a turn of pace to bolt 60 metres to score a genuine coach killer beside the posts. After converting his own try, the Black and Golds entered the sheds with an 18-16 lead.
During the break, and encouraged by the spirit of the Ryan-Pringle Shield, the boys on the hill announced their team of combined Balmain and Newtown players. From fullback to loose head prop: Phil Sigsworth, Alan McMahon, Lance Thompson, Frank Hyde, Sid Goodwin, Paul Morris, Les Mara, Neil Pringle, Trevor Ryan ©, Greg Bandiera, Ron Pilon, John Elias, Gary Webster; coached by Warren Ryan. Congratulations to all.
Like Chief Big Foot at Wounded Knee, the Black and Golds were ambushed in the second half. Consecutive sets following a penalty resulted in a Newtown try beside the sticks, which was converted. From the kick-off the Bluebags moved the pill the length of the field, through at least five sets of hands, to score beside the posts. This time Merritt was put off his kick by the crowd. After just 4 minutes of the second stanza Newtown once again held the lead, 26-18.
Balmain quickly regrouped after the opening onslaught, and a deft chip kick by John Wilson in the 51st minute was touched down by Chris "Rhino" Heighington. Byrne missed the difficult conversion, and Newtown's lead was reduced to 26-22.
Three minutes later Dean Byrne broke the Bluebags line apart, straight up the guts, and put a supporting Joel Caine under the posts.
The successful conversion saw the Black and Golds reclaim the lead 28-26 for their third time. This was extended in the very next set following a line break and 50 metre scamper down the left by John Wilson, who passed inside to, you guessed it, the forever supporting Joel Caine, who touched down under the posts. Byrne's conversion extended Balmain's lead to 34-26.
Balmain held on for the next ten minutes, but in the 66th minute a classy run and chip by Nathan Merritt put his winger over in the corner and reduced Balmain's lead to 34-30, where it remained after an unsuccessful kick.
Balmain again held on for the next ten minutes, but a mistake led to a Bluebag loose and feed just out from Balmain's line. The pill was spread wide from the ensuing scrum win and Newtown were over again. Merritt's goal attempt was waved away, leaving the score deadlocked with just six minutes left on the clock.
Soon thereafter the Bluebags were awarded a penalty directly in front. Merritt made up for his earlier misses and slotted what proved to be the difference in the end. The Black and Golds threw everything they had at the Bluebags for the remaining 5 minutes and to their credit the home side hung grimly to their lead.
Our boys gave their all, and special mention goes to our captain Jamie "The Wrecking Ball" Small, John Wilson, Chris Heighington, Joel Caine and Stan Berryman, but your authors gave the man of the match to Dean Byrne.
Balmain have to wait until late-July for revenge, when the second leg of the Ryan-Pringle shield is to be played, once again at Henson Park for some strange reason. Your authors would strongly recommend that you all get out there if you can and cheer your boys on. The Bluebags and their supporters always put on a great days footy, and without all the pomp and fluff that has taken over first grade you can feel the very soul and hear the very heartbeat of rugby league from the hill at Henson.
Newtown 36 (V Mellars 2, N Merritt, K Kingston, G Johnson, D Hall, R McGoldrick tries N Merritt 4 goals)
defeated
IGT-DTS-BRET34 (J Caine 2, J Lima, J Wilson, D Byrne, C Heighington tries D Byrne 4, L Branighan goals)
----
The Newtown Bluebags must still be smarting over the loss of the 1944 premiership to the Black and Golds, despite their having two bites of the cherry, or maybe they are still prickly over Balmain beating them in their last ever home game back in 1983. Either way, they always fire up when the two clubs lock horns, and last Saturday's visit by Balmain Ryde-Eastwood to the former brickpit that is Henson Park was no exception.
Adding to the drama, this was the first leg of the Ryan-Pringle Shield, awarded each year to the winner of the home and away series between the Balmain DRLFC and Newtown DRLFC, and named after two unforgettable legends whom played for both clubs with merit.
Once the dust had settled, after thirteen tries and an extraordinary seven lead changes, a penalty conversion by Newtown at the death proved the difference and they took out what was an absolute corker of a game 36-34.
The wags on the hill had barely opened their KB's when the Bluebags, on the back of a penalty which catapulted them to Balmain's line, crossed under the sticks. The conversion made it 6-0. A few sets later the Bluebags spread the pill wide and crossed in the North East corner. Nathan Merritt seemed shaken by the bellow of "lolly legs" echoing around the ground and shanked his kick, keeping the score at 10-0 after as many minutes. This would prove to be the greatest leading margin of any team throughout the entire match.
In the 19th and 21st minutes the Black and Golds posted back to back converted tries, the first to the colossal Jeff Lima, on the back of a sneaky Balmain intercept, and the second to the classy John Wilson, whom backed up inside after a 40 metre rampage by Chris "Rhino" Heighington. Balmain's 12-10 lead would last just 4 minutes.
Another penalty to the home side marched them to within 30 metres of their target, and a simple angled run from their hooker led to a try under the black dot. A kick over the same dot returned the lead to the Bluebags 16-12.
One minute before the half-time break Balmain's new halfback, Dean Byrne, intercepted a dusty pass that floated forward into the defence line and then showed a turn of pace to bolt 60 metres to score a genuine coach killer beside the posts. After converting his own try, the Black and Golds entered the sheds with an 18-16 lead.
During the break, and encouraged by the spirit of the Ryan-Pringle Shield, the boys on the hill announced their team of combined Balmain and Newtown players. From fullback to loose head prop: Phil Sigsworth, Alan McMahon, Lance Thompson, Frank Hyde, Sid Goodwin, Paul Morris, Les Mara, Neil Pringle, Trevor Ryan ©, Greg Bandiera, Ron Pilon, John Elias, Gary Webster; coached by Warren Ryan. Congratulations to all.
Like Chief Big Foot at Wounded Knee, the Black and Golds were ambushed in the second half. Consecutive sets following a penalty resulted in a Newtown try beside the sticks, which was converted. From the kick-off the Bluebags moved the pill the length of the field, through at least five sets of hands, to score beside the posts. This time Merritt was put off his kick by the crowd. After just 4 minutes of the second stanza Newtown once again held the lead, 26-18.
Balmain quickly regrouped after the opening onslaught, and a deft chip kick by John Wilson in the 51st minute was touched down by Chris "Rhino" Heighington. Byrne missed the difficult conversion, and Newtown's lead was reduced to 26-22.
Three minutes later Dean Byrne broke the Bluebags line apart, straight up the guts, and put a supporting Joel Caine under the posts.
The successful conversion saw the Black and Golds reclaim the lead 28-26 for their third time. This was extended in the very next set following a line break and 50 metre scamper down the left by John Wilson, who passed inside to, you guessed it, the forever supporting Joel Caine, who touched down under the posts. Byrne's conversion extended Balmain's lead to 34-26.
Balmain held on for the next ten minutes, but in the 66th minute a classy run and chip by Nathan Merritt put his winger over in the corner and reduced Balmain's lead to 34-30, where it remained after an unsuccessful kick.
Balmain again held on for the next ten minutes, but a mistake led to a Bluebag loose and feed just out from Balmain's line. The pill was spread wide from the ensuing scrum win and Newtown were over again. Merritt's goal attempt was waved away, leaving the score deadlocked with just six minutes left on the clock.
Soon thereafter the Bluebags were awarded a penalty directly in front. Merritt made up for his earlier misses and slotted what proved to be the difference in the end. The Black and Golds threw everything they had at the Bluebags for the remaining 5 minutes and to their credit the home side hung grimly to their lead.
Our boys gave their all, and special mention goes to our captain Jamie "The Wrecking Ball" Small, John Wilson, Chris Heighington, Joel Caine and Stan Berryman, but your authors gave the man of the match to Dean Byrne.
Balmain have to wait until late-July for revenge, when the second leg of the Ryan-Pringle shield is to be played, once again at Henson Park for some strange reason. Your authors would strongly recommend that you all get out there if you can and cheer your boys on. The Bluebags and their supporters always put on a great days footy, and without all the pomp and fluff that has taken over first grade you can feel the very soul and hear the very heartbeat of rugby league from the hill at Henson.
Newtown 36 (V Mellars 2, N Merritt, K Kingston, G Johnson, D Hall, R McGoldrick tries N Merritt 4 goals)
defeated
IGT-DTS-BRET34 (J Caine 2, J Lima, J Wilson, D Byrne, C Heighington tries D Byrne 4, L Branighan goals)
