Sat 5 Sep 2015 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The New Zealand Falcons have claimed trans-Tasman gay rugby championship the Purchas Cup in a hard-fought tournament in Auckland. They’ve beaten the Melbourne Chargers 20-8 in the deciding match, before a passionate crowd at Western Springs Stadium. Earlier in the day the Falcons lost 13-10 to the Sydney Convicts due to a last minute penalty. The Chargers then beat the Convicts, meaning the Falcons needed to beat the Melbourne side by at least seven points to claim the title. The home side went up 10-0 early thanks to a penalty, and a try courtesy of some of their explosive backs, and held that margin till halftime through some sturdy defence and huge defensive scrums. The Chargers hit back early in the second half with a try of their own, and then landed a penalty from right in front of the sticks to narrow the gap to 10-8. The Falcons then scored in the corner from a kick return, and while the surging Chargers came close to the line they were held out and eventually lost possession. It led to a clever Falcons solo runaway try from a line break and regathered kick, bringing the score to 20-8. The Chargers continued to threaten, but a monstrous defensive scrum helped the Falcons ease the pressure. With two minutes to go the roaring chant of ‘Falcons, Falcons’ rang around the ground and a Chargers’ knock-on from a line-out gave the home team possession, and the win was sealed. In presenting the Purchas Cup to the Falcons, tournament founder Andrew Purchas said it was a fantastic final. “The Chargers put everything on the field … but the very worthy winners the New Zealand Falcons, fantastic team, wonderful to see a new club actually winning this trophy. Great to see you guys so strong. Great to see the competition so strong.” Falcons captain Jeremy Brankin thanked all the supporters who went along and have backed the team all season. “Awesome rugby today, good physical rugby,” he said, adding the deciding clash “was an intense game” and the Falcons never felt they had it in the bag. He thanked the team’s hardworking coach and manager, and praised his players for leaving nothing on the field. “I am extremely proud to be your captain … you just played your hearts out.” The players then celebrated with a victory haka. // // The victory underpins a remarkable rise for a team which only formed two years ago. The Australian teams are regarded as the benchmark in gay rugby, with the Sydney Convicts claiming the gay equivalent of the rugby world cup, the Bingham Cup, last year. The Falcons won the second-tier level of that tournament, and have continued to improve playing in an Auckland club competition. They will now be eyeing the Bingham Cup in Nashville next year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 5th September 2015 - 6:41pm