Time stands still in epic rugby struggle
RUGBY UNION CONTROVERSY has marred a thrilling finish to Brothers’ marathon win over Northern Beaches Mudcrabs with a penalty sealing the game under questionable circumstances at Yorkeys Knob at the weekend.
Spectators and team officials recorded the second half as lasting a marathon 56 minutes – 16 minutes longer than regulation – allowing Brethren fly-half Thomas Wall-Assan the chance to win the game with a late kick in fading light on Saturday afternoon.
Wall-Assan converted for the Fish to prevail 27-24 at the official opening of the Crabs’ Wattle St grounds, closing out a bizarre evening at the Crab Pot. The win puts some breathing room between Brothers and fifth-placed Cairns Penrhyn Sharks with just two rounds left in the FNQ Rugby competition.
Disappointed Crabs co-captain Cam Scott laughed off the result, taking heart in his side’s courageous effort.
“It felt like it dragged on a bit but the last 10 minutes of every game for a front rower like me feels like it drags on,” Scott said laughing.
“I was just happy with the way we played the game. Getting pipped at the end obviously hurts but the best thing you can do is move on and get better from it.”
Brothers coach Sven Schaefer said the tight finish had the crowd enthralled.
“It certainly got my blood pressure up,” Schaefer said. “I don’t even know what the penalty was for. The last five minutes I was more worried about having a heart attack.”
The Crabs will likely finish second last this season but Scott said the performance set his side up well for 2019.
“The game definitely lived up to the occasion,” Scott said.
“We played smart and took points when we could. We came away without the win but we feel like it was a good result because we put up a good performance.”
FNQ Rugby vice president John Pirie said the contentious result will stand as the referee is the “sole keeper of time”.
Foundation members Harley Lyons, Russell Todd and Fred Innes all played their 50th matches on Saturday while promising teenage halfback Ethan Abraham debuted.