And the ARC winner is....
The Central Coast Rays have claimed the inaugural Mazda Australian Rugby Championship title with a 20-12 win over the Melbourne Rebels in the Final at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Rays overcome a spirited Rebels outfit with UK-bound fullback Peter Hewat scoring 15 points to lead his side to victory with a premiership-winning effort from Central Coast flankers Ross Duncan and Beau Robinson to guide the home side to a deserved victory.
Rebels skipper David Croft and winger Digby Ioane played outstanding rugby for the Rebels, but they were outclassed by the Rays, who showed dazzling skills in attack and determined defence to earn the first-ever Mazda ARC title.
The Rebels started the better and posted a five-pointer in the ninth minute when they worked fast recycle ball to open the Rays up out wide. The ball was flung wide to teenage hooker James Hanson, who showed good strength and pace to bullock his way on a 25-metre run to the line. Centre Jack Farrer added the extras to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead.
Melbourne almost had a second try just six minutes later when David Croft sprinted into a gap and into the Rays 22. The Rebels set phase play to take the ball within inches of the line before the home side forced a turnover and tried to run the ball out of danger. An attempted chip kick by Rays winger Jye Mullane was charged down by Rebels opposite Peter Playford and only a desperate dive from Sam Norton-Knight saved the home side.
The Central Coast leveled the scores in the 22nd minute when flanker Beau Robinson raced in for a try after blockbusting run from centre Sam Harris and a deft pass from Ben Jacobs to put Robinson into a gap and on a 20-metre run to the line. Peter Hewat slotted the conversion from wide out to make it 7-7.
The Rays went within a whisker of another try just four minutes later after enterprising play down the sideline between number eight Viliame Ratu and hooker Al Manning with the front-rower just putting a foot into touch before attempting to dive over in the corner.
The Rays pressured the Rebels line again in the 28th minute and looked like scoring but the visitors held on. However, a high tackle on Jacobs handed the Rays a penalty and Hewat accepted the chance to kick a three-pointer from 22metres out to give the Rays the lead 10-7.
With all the momentum in their favour, the Rays extended their lead just before half-time when they worked phase ball to the shadow of the Rebels posts before flinging the ball wide for Jacobs to offload to Hewat, who went over in the corner. Hewat converted his own try from the sideline to give the home side a healthy 17-7 lead at the break.
The Rays started the second half on fire with Hewat and Jacobs breaking the line only to be thwarted by scrambling Rebels' defence.
Some bullocking running from Digby Ioane inspired the Rebels to mount a spirited comeback midway through the second half and Nathan Trist almost scored a try in the corner only to be held-up over the line in a ball-and-all tackle by Hewat.
The Rebels maintained the pressure on the Rays tryline but some heroic defence and a litany of ruck infringements denied the visitors, with referee Matt Goddard eventually showing a yellow card to Smith.
Melbourne took advantage of the situation with Croft showing great strength to burrow his way over under the posts after another penalty five out from the try-line in the 65th minute. Rays flanker Ross Duncan showed great determination to charge down the conversion attempt from Farrer to leave the score 17-12 to the Central Coast.
After working their way back into the game the Rebels went to sleep at the kick-off with the Rays wrestling back possession and just a minute later lock Richard Standford was penalised 30 metres out from his own line for coming over the top in the ruck. Hewat stepped up to slot the penalty to give the Rays an eight-point lead 20-12 with 11 minutes to go.
The Rebels pressured the Rays line again late in the match but the home side held on for the victory.
Central Coast Rays 20
Tries: Beau Robinson, Peter Hewat
Conversions: Peter Hewat 2/2
Penalties: Peter Hewat 2/3
Melbourne Rebels 12
Tries: James Hanson, David Croft
Conversions: Jack Farrer 1/2
Crowd 4189 at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
http://aru.rugby.com.au/matches/tour.../section/50384
