ARL SHARMAN CUP GRAND FINAL Otara Return to the Fox in 2015 The Otara Scorpions will return to the Fox Memorial Premiership for the first time in 20 years, after winning the SAS Sharman Cup grand final 22-16 over East Coast Bays, securing promotion in the process.
One of New Zealand rugby league’s traditional heartlands, Otara beat a determined East Coast Bays outfit at Trusts Stadium to ensure they will be back in the premier division next year.
It was sweet redemption for the south Auckland side, who last year went down to the Richmond Bulldogs in the final despite dominating the regular season.
This year Otara had stormed to the minor premiership, going through the season with only two losses.
They looked equally devastating to start the final, coming out firing and looking to dominate the Barracudas’ pack with a physical style.
It paid off almost immediately when captain Uila Aiolupo crashed over in the third minute. Five-eighth Leiloa Lafaele converted for an early 6-0 lead.
But East Coast Bays wrestled back momentum a few minutes later following a 40/20 kick which allowed them to set up camp in the opposition 20.
Captain Ricky Bogue got them on the board just before the 20-minute mark, but when Latham Clark pushed the kick wide the Barracudas still trailed 6-4.
Further scores to Blucher and a second to Bogue extended the lead, but Otara hit back just before the break to reduce the deficit to 16-12.
The Scorpions started the second half just as they had the first, scoring after a few minutes through centre Anthony Fuimaono, who a short time later left the field with a suspected fractured arm.
When Reece Paea went over five minutes later Otara took a 22-16 lead and were beginning to assume control of the match.
The Barracudas enjoyed plenty of ball in the last 15 minutes, but had no answer for an Otara defensive line which scrambled desperately to repel attack after attack.
Otara defended two sets in the final three minutes to secure the SAS Sharman Cup title and promotion to the Appliance Shed Fox Memorial Premiership for 2015.
Coach Saulo Suamasi, in his third season coaching the Scorpions, said it was about more than rugby league for the Otara community.
“It is incredible, it was a great game,” he said.
“We still believed in our systems and our strength which is our power in the middle.
“We took advantage of our momentum and we ended up coming away with the points.
“This is for our community.”
Otara 22 (Aiolupo, Tulikaki, Fuimaono, Paea tries; Lafaele 3 goals) DEFEAT
East Coast Bays 16(Bogue x2, Blucher tries; Clark 2 goals.)
