Police bank cup grand final 2016

After a torrid mid-week State of Origin, these two teams seemed to have rehearsed that game and played an almost replica.
Those who witnessed this epic grand final walked away with a smile on their faces after both teams showed tremendous spirit and courage in a brutal encounter that showed to one and all that the NSW Police Rugby league is going gang busters.
Both sides oozed high quality athletes, many had been involved in the recent City V Country fixture, and many will represent NSW in Melbourne next month.
A minutes silence at the start of the game was to honour Manly coach Craig Sheridan’s mothers unexpected passing.
Right from the kickoff, Manly hard-nab Tim Pont caught a Jay Murphy towering kick-off and ran into the chasing Wombats defence, like he was crashing through a wall to nab a wanted criminal. The game was fast, but the defence hard with no quarter asked or given.
The game resembled the recent state of origin match, just two great sides grinding away for forty minutes. This comment was reinforced when the half time score was 6 points to 4, Manlys way. Sea Eagles centre Daniel Delooze plucked the ball out of the sky from a cheeky Jai Jones bomb. Many half Shane Withers converted and it was 6 nil. However, the Wombats kept fighting and inspirational forward and captain Mitch West scored a great try for the 6 to 4 half time scoreline.
The second half was more or less a mirror image of the first. Both teams had chances but desperate try saving tackles denied points. Manly’s kept throwing big runs at the Wombats defences. Cameron Treloar, Tim Pont, Danny Lawrence, Dave Cox were standouts, but it was a complete team effort.
The Wombats similarly Nathan Simpson until he went off with injury, Nathan Clarke and Mitchell West were the best for the Wombats. Jay Murphy kept the attack going but the brick wall Manly defence could not be breached any further.
The fulltime score was 6 – 4 with Manly taking out the Police Bank cup. Congratulations to Nathan Clarke from the Wombats for being awarded with ‘Man of the match’.
Congratulations to both Jai Jones and Danny Lawrence for jointly winning the Bob Aldridge Memorial trophy. This trophy is presented to those with the most points for the year. Coaches are asked each game to rate players on a 3,2 and 1 basis. Danny and Jai were presented with this prestigious award by NSWPRL Life member and legend Alex Ramsay.
It is a credit to the Many coach Craig Sheridan (APM) and Easts coach Marty Hyde for the excellent way they presented their teams for this years GF. All present walked away with a smile on their face knowing they had just witnessed a very special game of rugby league.