Huntington Steers Bowral to Grand Final

Bowral Fly Half Lachlan Huntington has steered the Blacks through to their first Grand Final since 2002. In a hard fought defense oriented Final at Shoalhaven Rugby Park, Bowral has ended University’s campaign with a narrow 25 – 18 win.

Huntington’s form in both attack and defense was a standout as he directed the side around the park, but it was a wonderful display of long range goal kicking from the No.10 that gives the Blacks another shot at Avondale at WIN Stadium next week.

With twenty three penalties punctuating an intense game, Huntington kicked six long range penalty goals and a conversion to rack up twenty points for the win despite the Bulls registering two tries to one, including a penalty try.

Despite there only being three tries in the match it was an entertaining match with both sides throwing the ball around in search of points but outstanding defense across the park dominated the day.

Bowral had the first chance to score shortly after the start when Christian Vainerere, playing on the left wing, set sail down the line. Veteran Uni fullback Donovan Nepia had his measure though forcing him into touch with a powerful covering tackle setting the trend for the day. The Blacks settled for a Penalty goal to Huntington to take a 3 – 0 lead after three minutes.

The following ten minutes belonged to Uni who on the back of four penalties peppered the Bowral line but were unable to breach the Blacks committed goal line defense. Eventually the Bulls settled for the points with Charlie Curry kicking a penalty goal to tie the score after thirteen minutes.  

From the restart Uni quickly took play back into the Blacks half with Nepia producing a run down the left out of nothing. He took on several defenders before putting winger Tyler Aitkin in space who scooted away to score wide on the left. Curry couldn’t convert from the touch line but the Bulls now led 8 – 3.