Under-11s win premiership at stadium

Woy Woy Lions Junior Rugby Union Club's Under-11s defeated Avoca Beach to be named undefeated premiers for the second year running in Central Coast rugby union competition.

Although winning 26-nil against Avoca in the major semi final, the opposition put up a good fight for the premiership trophy at Bluetongue Stadium on September 11.

Coach and club president Mr Bill MacLean said he couldn't have been prouder of his team.

"The boys were pretty excited to be running out to play the big one but they fell asleep in the first half and Avoca took it up to them in defence," Mr MacLean said.

"The breakthrough came when our captain and number eight Jack Alipate took the ball from the back of the scrum and crashed over the line.

"Avoca kept us scoreless for the rest of the half and we led 5-nil at halftime.

"The second half was another great tussle with our defence being matched by Avoca.

"A great 30 meter dash in the 30th minute by our speedy winger Jack Bonouvrie put us 15 metres out from the Avoca line.

"It was then that our forwards captain and hooker Daniel 'Boof' King on orders from fly half Daniel 'Woodjah' MacLean did a 'pick and drive' and went the 15 metres being pushed by forwards Zac Szecko and Jack 'Benji' Henderson to drive over the line for our second try to put us up 10-nil."

Mr MacLean said the team were relaxed and looking like winners but Avoca never gave up the fight with a try and conversion in the 39th minute.

"When they got the ball from the restart it was going to be the longest 50 seconds of my life," Mr MacLean said.

"When the the boys forced an error and the siren sounded, a scrum still had to be packed and fed by our halfback Zac 'Flash' Doak-Stride.

"We won the scrum, kicked the ball out and won the tightest of games 10 to seven to be undefeated premiers for the second year in a row.

"We have 11 boys selected for the Central Coast Under-12s rep squad for next year including Benjamin Austine, Daniel King, Jack Henderson, Jamie Edwards, Zachary Szecko, Jack Alipate, Zac Daok-Stride, Daniel MacLean, Max Sorgese, Jack Bonouvrie and Mitchell Leonard.

"Unfortunately our Under-14s, Under-15s and Under-16s didn't fare so well in their grand final matches, all going down in very tight games."

Press release, 23 Sep 2010 Bill MacLean, Woy Woy Lions JRUC