Great start for Keelan
PALMERSTON claimed the first silverware of the NRL NT men’s season after they beat Brothers 14-10 in the final of the 9s at Goodline Park yesterday.
It was the perfect start to the year for new coach Daniel Keelan as he looks to take the Raiders to a premiership after consecutive grand final defeats.
The decider started in per- fect fashion for the home side.
After Brothers couldn’t handle the kick-off, Palmerston gained perfect field position from which they capitalised. It was a simple effort that got them four points. Prop Adam Hall steamrolled his way over the line from short range.
It was backed up soon after by a nippy scoot from Matty Johnson, which saw him beat two defenders to cross.
The Brethren levelled the scores through tries either side of the break.
Firstly through a Matt Goodson effort, which made the half-time score 10-6.
Shortly after the resumption, a shift to the right caught Palmerston’s defence short and Laurie Raymond dived over in the corner.
The Raiders scored the winning try with four minutes to play. Brad Hansen’s left-foot step saw him squeeze through two defenders to touch down.
Meanwhile, a four-pointer from Jaylene Bonson in golden try won the women’s final for Sistaz in unbelievable circumstances against Nightcliff.
In normal time, down 4-0 when it seemed like the game was lost after the siren sounded, Sistaz kicked the ball into the in-goal. Nightcliff went to bat the ball dead. However, they didn’t propel the ball hard enough and the Sistaz chaser dived on it just before the dead-ball line.
The first half was a tight tussle., with the defence proving solid in the middle of the paddock.
After the break, Nightcliff found the field position they were looking for.
And after a period of sustained pressure, Krystal Rivers managed to barge over from short range.
In the men’s plate final, Souths survived a late scare to beat the travelling East Kimberley Eagles 12-10.