THE Grafton Redmen Women’s 10s side will be out to complete a fairy-tale finish to the season when they take on Port Pirates in the Mid North Coast grand final on Saturday.
Port, on the other hand, will be out to cap off a remarkable year and will be keen to keep their perfect season intact.
However, the prospect of winning every game except the decider puts extra pressure on the all-conquering Pirates.
Grafton will be eager to spoil Pirates undefeated record but looking at past matchups, Pirates boast a daunting record over the Redmen who are yet to taste victory over the competition favourites.
Pirates head into the game with fresh legs after the week off while Grafton had to dig dip in their gripping 24-17 victory over Coffs Snappers in the preliminary final last weekend.
Grafton and Port have faced-off four times this season with Pirates claiming the spoils on each occasion.
There’s no doubt Port will enter the game as red-hot favourites; however, grand finals are won by teams taking the most of their opportunities and the ability to embrace all the grand final hype.
Here’s the three things you need to know.
Pirates speed and power out wide proved the difference in the major semi-final with a comfortable 34-15 victory. Port scored six tries to three in an entertaining game and raced to a 24-10 lead at the break.
Grafton created plenty of opportunities in the second-half and at times looked the better side but failed to capitalise with the last pass failing to find it’s mark.
Both sides were guilty of flirting with the sideline which resulted in players being bundled into touch.
Goal-kicking also proved to be a sticking point with only two conversions sailing between the uprights.
Most grand finals are won up front and making those first up tackles count will be crucial for both sides. Defence wins grand finals…it’s a mantra that has survived since players ran onto a rugby field. There is an old saying “attack sells tickets…defence wins premierships.”
Pressure and commitment at the breakdown will be vital as will discipline and avoiding the dreaded yellow card.
Ten-a-side rugby is all about maintaining possession and providing speedsters in the side with space, something both sides do well.
Grafton and Pirates have potential match-winners who are capable of scoring length of the field tries. Going on previous encounters, the team that can negate the opposition attacking raids out wide could well be holding up the silverware after the final siren.
Two absolute game breakers who can turn a game in the blink of an eye.
For Port, Chelsea-Lina Koomson brings pure strength and athleticism to the side with her powerful running-style. Koomson has found the chalk 29-times this season and slotted three conversions for an impressive tally of 151-points.
Not to be outdone, Grafton try scoring machine Yuri McHugh is one of those players who ignites the crowd each time she touches the ball. The Redmen flyer has scored 168-points this season with 26-tries and 19-conversions which is a Grafton Women’s club record.
Everything points towards a Pirates victory; they have been the benchmark all season. But don’t disregard a Redmen side with nothing to lose who possess plenty of ticker. And with inspirational captain Tamar McHugh at the helm, a boilover could well be on the cards.
