By Chris W.B
Last week saw the resurrection of the once proud New England Ferrets, as the Armidale based side rose up and smote the Christchurch Carnage. Would they be able to put it together again against a Coffs Harbour side desperate to prove itself? In a chilly autumn night at Aussie Stadium, the ref signalled time on in a match that would decide.
The Ferrets had the better of early possession, and were first on the scoreboard when fullback Brian Leauma slotted over a penalty for a lazy Mortlock tackle on Farrel. Up 2-0 in the fourth minute, New England were also the first to make an interchange as Kevin Iro came on for Lee Harland.
The injection of some forward muscle played dividends, as Brian Leauma was able to capitalise on some tiring Coffs Harbour defence to find a yawning gap. His well timed pass found Lee Briers, who scored out wide to make it 6-0.
It didn't last for long, quicksilver centre Steven Bell embarking on a fifty metre dash to score a magnificent solo try past some lacklustre defence. Mortlock made no mistake with the conversion, and it was six apiece.
New England's defence became threadbare at this point, the entire squad looking as if they were terrified to make a tackle. Soon to be retiring lock Willie Leyshon capitalised, scoring easily from dummy half to make it 12-6 in favour of Coffs.
Brian Leauma seemed to be the only Ferret willing to try, the Samoan fullback collecting a Tavis Zephyr chip and beating the entire Coffs squad in a scintillating display of foot-work as he raced ninety metres to score relatively untouched. The conversion was successful, and things were level at 12 apiece despite New England's woeful defence.
The try seemed to lift New England's spirits, and the Ferrets provided Coffs Harbour with some solid defence leading into halftime. It took a little Sheridan magic to break the deadlock, a pinpoint grubber finding Luke Priddis to make it 18-12 as the halftime siren sounded.
HALFTIME: New England 12 trail Coffs 18
The second half started in routine for New England as they played out a flawless set followed by a less than impressive Briers bomb. The Wyrms took the twenty metre tap, and made easy metres into New England's half. Running it on the last, Priddis scythed through two would be tacklers to score out wide. Mortlock was unerring with the boot, and it was 24-12 after only two minutes of play.
Trailing so badly early on seemed to hurt New England's attack as well, their veterans and youngsters both playing with sloppy hands as they dropped too much ball. Priddis and Mortlock combined in the 53rd to make them pay, Mortlock creating an overlap which saw Priddis score his third. The kick was waved away, but at 28-12 with under half an hour to go, things looked grim for New England.
The Ferrets' defence stabilised with the return of Harland and Iro, but nothing could be done for their woeful attack which continually fell apart. Frustration crept in, and stupid penalties had Coffs constantly in New England's end. In the 63rd the Wyrms had an entire set in New England's 10m zone. Leyshon looked to score from dummy half again, but dropped the ball behind him, allowing Francis Meli a gift try. Mortlock converted and it was 34-12.
The game out of their reach, New England did what they could to keep some respect. Mortlock added further salt to the wounds in the 71st with a converted try of his own to make it 40-12. The Ferrets were thoroughly embarassed, and a late Bryan Fletcher try did little to save their reputation, crashing out've the finals 40-16.
FULLTIME
Coffs Harbour 40
Stirling Mortlock
Francis Meli
Willie Leyshon
Luke Priddis 3
Steven Bell
Mortlock 6/7
def.
New England 16
Brian Leauma
Lee Briers
Bryan Fletcher
Leauma 2/4
PoM Points
Luke Priddis..........3
Willie Leyshon.......2
Stirling Mortlock... 1
