Stags Complete The Charge Home

Glenorchy held their nerve and completed the run from fourth place to Tasmanian Rugby Grand Final victory over a gallant Launceston at Rugby Park on Saturday.  The 23-17 scoreline to the Stags was indicative of their control but Launceston pressed to the end, only being denied a closer finish by Glenorchy’s skilful splitting of a try-line bound maul two minutes from time.
 
Glenorchy took time to gather momentum and control after getting an immediate 3-0 lead via a Dan Aualiitia penalty.  Launceston tried a couple of early mauls from lineouts, a pointer to things to come, and both scrums looked to wheel on the opposition ball.
 
The Stags moved the ball to their centres from turnovers and Launceston escaped a Stuart Dare dart with a great tackle from Colin Montgomery and Harry Johnson 5 metres out but then left a metre wide blindside unattended for Stags scrum-half Jason Hall to outstrip the defence and score in the corner.  Launceston replied swiftly, setting up successive phases on the line and Johnson crashing over for Jake Shayer to covert from out wide.
 
Skilful shifting the ball by fly-half Wally Dare and Aualiitia then forced great tracking defence by shorthanded Launceston before Aualiitia joined the line 30 metres and held the defence up to score through two tacklers and converting from the sideline to post a 15-7 lead in the 30th minute.  Even better play came on the stroke of half-time when Glenorchy won a kicking exchange and Aualiitia countered with a telling 40 metre run before wing Doug Smith beat three defenders on a 25 metre run to the line.
 
Launceston built a courageous second half on powerful scrummaging and use of the maul from attacking lineouts, the latter bringing them a try after 10 minutes, complemented by another Shayer sideline conversion to reduce the margin to 20-14.  A penalty to each side took the final scores to 23-17 with almost 20 minutes remaining.  Launceston’s scrum was now dominant, but their lineout was more haphazard and Glenorchy held their nerve as the visitors probed and ultimately failed to breach the defence.
 
Stags coach Shannan Banks said the victory was built on the back of defence and patience, with Glenorchy taking virtually all their chances.  Playing Aualiitia at fullback had been a couple of weeks in the planning but the improved judgment of Hall also contributed heavily.  ‘We played the best sides in the last three weeks and kept strong throughout’ he said.  Ray Burgess of Launceston said Glenorchy was far superior in the first half but identified Shayer, Luke Niejelke and Montgomery as his team’s best.
 
Taroona Blues ran rampant over Launceston in the Division 2 match, winning 55-7.  Taroona won the competitive Under 18 encounter 17-12, despite Hutchins regaining the lead twice and Launceston took the Under 16 with a comprehensive 62-0 win over Taroona.
 
Score: Glenorchy 23 (J. Hall. D. Aualiitia, D. Smith tries, Aualiitia 2 penalties, conversion) def Launceston 17 (H. Johnson, R. Brownett tries, J. Shayer penalty, 2 conversions)