C Grade Grand Final Blackwood's C Grade realised "back-to-back" premierships last Friday night at Blackwood Hill Oval, defeating Mt Lofty by 26 points in the first ever HFL Grand Final played under lights. A massive crowd in excess of 1,500 supporters was on hand to watch the history-making Grand Final, numbers which thrilled the HFL Directors with the ground-breaking decision to play a Grand Final at night. Riley Jones, Adam Pope & Gareth Bruce apply the pressure. The game was a tight affair until half-time, with the Woods initially showing the way, but the Devils, as they did in the semi final, fought their way back into the contest with some intimidation. Blackwood led by 2 points at quarter time and just 7 points at the main break. However, the Woods were able to re-group in the second half and with younger, faster legs, restricted Mt Lofty to just 3 points for the entire second half whilst adding 3-5 themselves to run out comfortable winners 8-12 to 5-4. Ryan Schutte, playing in the ruck, was the best man on the ground,shrugging off the effects of a "dodgy" groin and a sprained ankle to lead the Woods assault. Tom Cleveland was impassable at centre half back when moved there after halftime, ably supported by Frazer Goodes rebounding across halfback. Running players Chris Moulton and Gareth Bruce on his wing, found space and continually drove Blackwood into attack. The big pack flies! Coaches Dave Benson and Rob Jones paid tribute to all players that had played in the C grade during the season, acknowledging that not all 47 players that were used in the C grade this season could play in the final premiership side, and praised the committment that all players had, in what was at times, a frustrating year with several other clubs pulling out part way through the season. C's captain Adam Pope receives the Premiership flag from HFL president Owen Lamshed. "Cheer Cheer the Red & the Green"!  See all the action shots of the Grand Final taken by Fiona Zevenboom by clicking HERE
Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 (Archive on Monday, January 01, 0001) Posted by manass  Contributed by
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