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Valleys score 35th title after try in dying stages
A GRADE: They’ve played out a series of encapsulating encounters throughout 2018, and it was only fitting they ended 2018 with another classic.
As Valleys and Wattles left everything on the field at Glenholme Park yesterday, a try with four minutes remaining secured the Roosters a 2422 victory and a record 35th Agrade premiership in the process.
It gives Valleys the top grade double with the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy, a game played in similar circumstances after producing another late effort to down the Warriors.
Kalemb Hart’s 77th minute try levelled proceedings at 22all after a lofted cut-out pass from five-eighth Jake Ryals, allowing Brett Seymour the chance to steal the game.
“A bit of instinct took over there,” Ryals said.
“I saw Kal over there by himself so I floated one over to him and it came off.”
Ryals was full of praise for the effort shown by their opponents, who came back from 16-0 down early in the first half to take a 22-18 lead late in the contest.
“Full credit to Wattles,” he said.
“They’ve been the benchmark all year and it’s probably heartbreaking for them, I’ve got a few mates there, but they’ve had a good season.
“For our boys with the amount of injuries we’ve had and all these young fellas coming through, I’m pretty proud of them.
“They (Wattles) got a good roll on and a few decisions.
“I thought (referee) Greer (Beck) was good. He was pretty fair and is a good referee, but that’s footy and they got the roll on.
“To our credit we stuck in there and it come off in the end.”
After finishing as minor premiers and being eliminated from proceedings with two straight losses, Ryals said it made yesterday’s win mean so much more.
“It does make it sweeter, that’s footy though,” he said.
“I’m sure Wattles will have a fire in their belly next year, it’s part and parcel of it, but it makes this one a lot sweeter.”
The game started in the worst possible fashion for Wattles with Andrew Richardson failing to gather the kick-off, and Jarryd Dodd crashing over in the ensuing set.
Valleys were unable to complete their next set, but had enough to hold out a Wattles set on their own line.
Following on from back-toback penalties, Wattles were unable to hold out the Valleys charge, as Hugh Sedger found the line to extend the lead to 10.
Valleys again found themselves in open space in the 14th minute as Dylan Chown broke through the line, before offloading to Dexter Buchanan who crossed under the posts.
A 40-20 from Wattles player-coach Travis Burns almost paid dividends, but Ty Gardner was denied.
After receiving a string of penalties, Wattles found themselves with a man advantage after Sedger’s high tackles was deemed one infringement too many and was sent to the sin bin in the 24th minute.
Valleys were able to withstand everything Wattles could throw at them, maintaining their 16-point lead through the 10 minutes.
After 37 minutes, Wattles were finally able to crack their opponents line as Nick van der Poel was able to dive on a kick, cutting the lead to eight on the stroke of half-time.
They took that momentum into the second half, and after starting a set in good field position following a Brett Seymour forward pass, Jackson Green scooted down the left-hand flank, finding Nathan Gaulton who crossed to cut it back to a six-point game.
In a sign of the ferocity of the contest, Valleys opted to take a shot at goal when awarded a penalty 20m out from the Wattles line, stretching the lead beyond a converted try with 30 minutes remaining.
Boom winger Andrew Richardson edged Wattles closer just minutes later after getting a foot to a loose ball before regathering to score and get his side to within two points.
Wattles had their first lead of the match in the 61st minute after Burns’ cross-field kick hit a flying van der Poel on the chest as they edged ahead by four.
With the game for the taking, Wattles set up camp deep in Valleys half, but were unable to land the knockout blow as they held a narrow advantage heading into the final 10 minutes.
Valleys finally got a chance of their own as they forced a repeat set with eight minutes remaining, but were unable to take over after losing possession, before a late strike snatched victory in the dying stages.
The win ends a seven-year stretch without an A=grade premiership for Valleys, who last lifted the major silverware in 2011.
‘‘ FOR OUR BOYS WITH THE AMOUNT OF INJURIES WE’VE HAD AND ALL THESE YOUNG FELLAS COMING THROUGH, I’M PRETTY PROUD OF THEM.
VALLEYS ROOSTERS FIVE-EIGHTH JAKE RYALS