One for the old days! See, last Sunday arvo at the Collegians Sporting Complex, Figtree, the lads from Jamberoo, population 800, took on their counterparts from Kiama, population 20,000 in the Group 7 rugby league grand final.
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Interest is huge among the enormous 5000-strong crowd, as Jamberoo has not won a grand final since 1974, while Kiama have been 32 years between drinks, with the last victory back in 1985.
Compared with the big guns of rugby league, the boys earn no more than a pittance for their weekly 80-minute labours. \
In the manner of bush footy, Jamberoo Club itself has only managed to survive to this point through the efforts of a never-say-die committee, the presence of a true believer in major sponsor Brett Witford, and the loyalty of other donors and backers who have refused to buckle, no matter how lean the years.
And so the match starts.
One referee, no bunker, no quarter asked for or given, and the folk from Jamberoo take a blow early when their sterling hooker, James Asquith – one of three brothers in the side – goes down injured, early.
Before long the Superoos are trailing the Knights, 8-0! Still, the Superoos steady, fight back, and are at least competing as the crowd – particularly the entire population of Jamberoo, situated on the hill at the northern end – shout themselves hoarse, and never more than when Jamberoo scores twice.
And look now! With only a few minutes left, Jamberoo scores again to go to an 18-14 lead!
Ah, but the Knights aren't done yet, and in the last seconds unleash a kick that clears the exhausted Superoos defensive line, allowing the Kiama chasers to close in on the bobbling ball as it heads for the in-goal. Jamberoo has only one chance. One of their second-rowers, big Corey Grigg, is in that post-code and is half a chance, as he huffs and puffs, heaves and strains to get there before them. He dives! He ... has it in his hands! The whistle blows. Jamberoo WINS!
The two exhausted teams embrace like battered brothers, just before their two captains, Johnno Dallas, on behalf of the delirious victors and Kieron Poole for the proud vanquished, speak of the friendship and respect between the two teams, and what a great day it is for rugby league!
Ah, how the people cheer. Of course, they then head for their dressing rooms, where Jamberoos breaks into a thunderous version of the team song. And now, though the local legend of Jamberoo, Lionel Simmons, the admired captain coach of the winning 1974 team, is at the ground for the occasion, he declines to go into the victorious dressing room.
"It's their day, not mine," he says quietly.
Quite. Oh, and, say, Corey Grigg?
Aren't you the bloke that dived on the ball, to save the day, the day that Jamberoo won for the first time since 1974? You are! And always will be.
Good luck to you.
Rugby league. It lives and breathes in country NSW!
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