Camden win 2009 IDRU Second Grade Premiership

The year of the Ram was aptly completed on Saturday the 19th of September when Camden Second Grade defeated the Vincentia Van Goghs in the Illawarra District Rugby finals at WIN Stadium.

This was Camden’s first grand final appearance since colts 2005 and the sizeable crowd was noticeably vibrant and euphoric.

Camden started strong and spent large amounts of the first half pressuring the Van Gogh line but some desperate defence cut down a number of certain tries and the score remained locked at nil all until late in the half.

A blind attacking raid allowed prop Nathan Vial to create an extra man, hitting the line hard and then popping inside to centre John Nettle who put on the first try for the game. Alex Ban converted and Camden went to the break 7-0 up.

The second half started poorly for Camden when Vincentia tied the scores through a try to Andrew Van Oploo after a towering kick was allowed to bounce and Camden could not effectively clean the ball up. With the scores locked Camden were starting to run short on time in a game that they had dominated consistently.

Fly half Alex Ban who had asked several questions of the Vincentia defence throughout the game, snuck through a hole and linked up with centre Toby Searle who continued the raid down the left hand touch line and drew the fullback and passed to fullback Dane Kelly to finish of the movement and snatch the lead. Alex Ban converted and Camden was on the final path to Grand Final glory.

The final tense minutes ticked over but Camden’s defence held firm and the supporters sensed that the premiership was in the bag. When the final whistle blew, Camden’s first premiership since 3rd Grade 2002 was sealed. Camden was the only team in 2009 to win the premiership from 3rd place. In the other results minor premiers Shamrocks (3rd grade) and Tech-Tahs (1st grade) both came home with the wins. Illawarra Rugby supporters would be quite satisfied to see another Avondale defeat in 1st grade. Hooker Andrew Lynch was named best on field.

Congratulations must go to all of Second grade and the other players involved in season 2009, who have demonstrate the undeniable spirit of Mike Merino!

View some great photos thanks to Angela Cowan and Vincentia Van Goghs Rugby Club

www.vincentiavangoghsrugby.org/images/Grand_Final/index.htm