LAST MINUTE LOSS FOR BEARS

30th August 2009 | By Steve Little | PDF Media Release | Back to Full List of Articles

North Sydney have been pipped at the post in the final minute of their match against the first placed Bankstown City Bulls.

The try, ironically scored by ex Bear Lee Te Maari, came after a run-away try scored by the Bulls Ben Barba pushed the Bears to a 34 all scoreline.

The Bulls looked the goods early with a quick and effective four pointer to Matt Utai.

But grabbing the bull by the horns, young Norths winger Curtis Johnston took full advantage of his run on appearance, scoring two tries in the left corner in the space of five minutes.

The first was scored off a cutout pass from Norths fullback Samu Wara, after the first penalty awarded to the Bears. The second was scored directly from dummy half close to the Bulls line.

With the Bears leading 8-4 North’s Dion Apps scored on the burst. Norths five-eighth Justin Hunt converted and the Bears lead 14-4.

At the 20th minute Norths kicked high. There was a mad scramble but neither side was able to catch the ball. Bears centre Bladen Baird got to the ball and ran in to score in the right corner. Justin Hunt converted and the Bears remained in front 20-4.

Very soon after, the Bulls had numbers on the left in their run to the line, which saw Nick Taylor score in the left corner. Bulls fullback Brent Crisp converted to make it 20-10 to Norths.

Two minutes to the break Norths centre Reece Robinson intercepted the ball high and sprinted 50 metres to score. Justin Hunt converted for the Bears to lead 26-10 at the break.

But a major turning point came early in the half. With the Bears on the attack at the Bulls line a pass went astray. Before it could be regained Bankstown half Ben Barba intercepted and ran the length of the field to score. Bulls fullback Brent Crisp converted to put his side within ten points 26-16.

It was North’s big Brett Blaker who put his side back on track with a barge over try to the right of the posts. Justin Hunt converted and the Bears remained in front 32-16.

While the Bears came close to scoring on a number of occasions (including an almost certain try when Bears fullback Samu Wara was tackled over the sideline less than a metre short) the Bulls controlled the final stage of the match.

Bankstown’s Brent Crisp and Nick Taylor both scored with Crisp converting both tries and leaving Norths with only a 32-28 lead.

Final points for the Bears came from a penalty kick to Justin Hunt 34-28.

At the 75th minute Daryl Millard scored and Crisp converted to make it 34 all. Lee Te Maari’s try in the final minute sealed a hard fought victory for the Bulls and a disappointing loss for the Bears.

BANKSTOWN CITY 38 (Matt Utai, Nick Taylor, Ben Barba, Brent Crisp, Nick Taylor, Daryl Millard, Lee Te Maari tries, Brent Crisp 5 goals) defeated NORTH SYDNEY 34 (Curtis Johnston 2, Dion Apps, Bladen Baird, Reece Robinson, Brett Blaker tries, Justin Hunt 5 from 7 goals) Halftime North Sydney 26-10.