Avondale Wombats Power Through To Grand Final

MatchReportAvondale Wombats have secured the first spot in the 2018 Grand Final with a powerful effort against Bowral at Eridge Park. In the most dominant Finals performance we have seen in Illawarra Rugby since the Vikings win over Shamrocks in the 2010 Grand Final, Avondale ran in seven tries in a 43 – 11 rout of the home side.

With a gusting westerly wind impacting on the match, the Wombats put on a high energy power game that a skillful but shell shocked Bowral side couldn’t match. A clever, pin point kicking game from Avondale Fly half Antonio Ale was a feature of the game. Across the park the Wombat defensive effort was impressive with hardly a missed tackle registered against them throughout the match.

The first half of the match was played at pace with both sides keen to throw the ball around and attack despite the windy conditions. Avondale secured the ball from their own kickoff and quickly went on the attack with their big forwards showing their hand immediately taking play deep into the Bowral quarter. Attacking weapon Andre Itula, working off the back of his forwards hard work put fullback Silipa Tuigamala over for the first try after just two minutes. Tuigamala converted from right on the western touchline for a 7 – 0 lead to the visitors.

In similar fashion Bowral regained possession from the kick off and took play inside the Wombats thirty and held field position for much of the next five minutes. Eventually Bowral flyer Henry Yuill found some space outside the strong Avondale defensive line and scooted over in the corner for Bowral’s only try of the match.

Over the next six minutes Bowral threw plenty of attack at the Avondale defense but couldn’t break the strong first up defensive effort coming from the entire Avondale squad. The Blacks settled for a penalty goal to Fly-Half Lachlan Huntington to take the lead for the only time in the match at 8 – 7.