The Mounties featured in all three senior competition grand finals on Sunday when Rugby League farewelled Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium with a triple-header.
The minor premiers stumbled in the Intrust Super Premiership, but redeemed themselves in the Ron Massey Cup, held just six days after the great coach died aged 86.
Cutters narrowly become premiers
The Illawarra Cutters caused an upset, pipping the minor premiers Mounties 21-20.
Before the match started a tribute video package was shown celebrating Ron Massey’s life and achievements, followed by a minute’s silence.
The Cutters came out firing, their NRL players leading the charge. Josh McCrone set up two tries, former North Queensland Cowboy Kalifa Faifai Loa scoring to help Cutters to a 16-0 lead . Mounties fought back gallantly with Sam Williams getting them back on track by providing a cut out ball for Eddie Aiono to score. Tries to Sam Duggan and Scott Sorensen followed but Mounties missed what might have been a crucial conversion. The teams went into the sheds with Cutters leading 16-14.
Mounties were first to draw blood in the second half with fullback Zac Santo scoring a four-pointer off a neat Brenko Lee kick to take the lead – briefly. The Cutters tied the scores up with Faifai Loa scoring his second in the corner to tie the game at 20-all and set up a thrilling finish. Drew Hutchison provided the decisive moment, slotting a drop goal to win 21-20. Williams failed with several attempts to level, the Cutters holding on to claim the prize.
Ron Massey Cup
Both teams came out hard and did not disappoint, with Mounties once again proving they are the best in the competition, humbling St Marys 32-16 to rack up their second consecutive premiership.
Sydney Shield
The East Campbelltown Eagles won their second title in three years when they defeated the Mounties 32-24 in the opening match of the day. – James Wardell
Photo of the Illawarra Cutters with their trophy from the Intrust Super Premiership Twitter feed.
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