INSPIRATIONAL captain Sam Rouse scored the match-winner and then collected the Anzac Medal as Merewether pipped fierce rivals Wanderers 24-23 in a pulsating battle at No.2 Sportsground to take hold of the Adams Halter Shield and launch their Hunter Rugby Union campaign in style.
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With eight minutes remaining and Merewether down 23-17, Rouse was put through a hole by replacement fly-half Sam Bright. The electric fullback produced some magic footwork, stepping off his right, to go in beside the posts. Bright added the extras and then Merewether held out a last-ditch charge from the Two Blues.
The Greens celebrated as though it was a grand final when referee Richard Parker blew full-time.
And it was a contest befitting of a decider.
Played in front of a raucous crowd of 3500, the derby had everything - big hits, slick ball movement, spectacular tries, desperate defence and a dash of controversy.
"It was an unbelievable effort by both sides," jubilant Merewether coach Jamie Lind said. "It went right to the wire. Wow. They smacked the shit out of each other. Wanderers had the better of the first half. We controlled the game a bit better in the second half and were able to execute and make it work."
Wanderers had four players - Dave Waller, Andy Finau, Timmy Turner and Nimi Qio - sent to the sinbin and finished on the wrong side of a 18-8 penalty count.
Wanderers coach Dan Beckett questioned the disparity in yellow cards.
"I thought we played some really good football and out-played them for large periods, but they were brave and tough and deserved the win," Beckett said. "I have never been in a game where one team has four yellow cards and the other zero. I'll have to go back to the drawing board because I felt I let my boys down today. Their heart and ability was amazing. The strategy was obviously wrong because we ended up with too many players off the field."
Merewether had the bulk of possession in the first half courtesy of a dominant scrum which earned four penalties but they failed to capitalise.
Fullback Hayden Cole (36th minute) crossed when the Two Blues were a man down and Tim Marsh (40th) added a second as Wanderers went to the break up 13-3.
However, the introduction of Bright and Will Frost early in the second half straightened up the Greens attack.
"We didn't have the right shape to score tries,"Lind said. "When you are not doing that it is a little bit ad hoc."
In other games, Nelson Bay thrashed Singleton 58-0, Maitland accounted for University 22-10 and Hamilton were too strong for Southern Beaches 57-19.
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James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
