St Patricks (l) & Balmain (r) enjoy their own celebrations as they share the Kentwell Cup
following a 33-all draw after extra-time

NSWRU Media Release –

First Division newcomer Balmain has capped an astounding season by recording a 33-all extra-time draw with St Patrick’s to become joint NSW Suburban Rugby First Grade Premiers.

Leading 24-3 at half-time of Saturday’s Grand Final at TG Millner, Balmain looked to have one hand already on the Kentwell Cup trophy courtesy of tries to centre Ryan Cross, flanker Josh Prickett and wingers Mark Ryan and Sean Carroll and two conversions from USA international Gavin DeBartolo.

Despite managing just three first-half points from captain and scrumhalf Aaron Mattin’s penalty, a sensational St Patrick’s second-half comeback saw the favourites score four unanswered tries through prop Joe Pickett, second row Tom Schofields, flanker Isaiah Pine and centre Perofeta Silva. An additional seven points from man of the match Mattin levelled the score at 30-all at the end of regular time and sent the match into extra time.

With DeBartolo and Mattin trading penalties, even the 20 minutes of extra time failed to split the sides and they went on to become joint premiers for only the second time in the Kentwell Cup’s 86 year history, after Waverley and Matraville shared the honours in 1991.

With the clubs having shared the spoils in their past two meetings this season, their joint success in the First Grande final was a fitting finale to their seasons and also capped off a successful day for both clubs. Balmain also claimed the Second Grade Burke Cup with a 18-15 victory over Woollahra Colleagues, whilst St Patrick’s won the Judd Cup Fourth Grade Premiership and the Cowboy Cup for Inter-Divisional Club Champions, to add to the Bruce Graham Shield they secured for becoming 2013 First Division Club Champions.

In Saturday’s other NSW Suburban Rugby Grand Finals at TG Millner, Knox took home the Barbour and Whiddon Cups with Colts and Third Grade Grand Final victories respectively and Old Ignatians won the Fifth Grade’s Sutherland Cup, beating Colleagues by 23-0.

Kentwell Cup Grand Final

St Patrick’s 33 (Joe Pickett, Tom Schofields, Isaiah Pine, Perofeta Silva tries; Aaron Mattin 2 cons, 3 pens) drew Balmain 33 (Josh Prickett, Sean Carroll, Ryan Cross, Mark Ryan tries; Gavin DeBartolo 2 cons, 3 pens). Half time: Balmain 24-3. Referee: Richard Madden. Man of the match: Aaron Mattin (St Pats). Yellow cards: Larry Hermens (St Pats), Sean Carroll (Balmain)

*******

Burke Cup (Second Grade) – Balmain 18 beat Woollahra Colleagues 15

Whiddon Cup (Third Grade) – Knox 22 beat Woollahra Colleagues 12

Judd Cup (Fourth Grade) – St Patrick’s 22 beat Knox 7

Sutherland Cup (Fifth Grade) – Old Ignatians 23 beat Woollahra Colleagues 0

Barbour Cup (Colts) – Knox 30 beat Woollahra Colleagues 7