Lock, Jeff Fyfe, calmly steered a field goal between the posts eight seconds before full time to snatch a 16 – 15 win for Easts against Valleys in a tense Brisbane Rugby League Grand Final at Lang Park yesterday.
With the two sides locked together on 15 points and extra time imminent, Fyfe pulled off his match winning kick.
Neither he nor anyone else at the ground knew how much play remained because the electric timing device on the scoreboard had stopped.
“I knew there couldn’t be long to go, but it was not my intention to kick the field goal,” an elated Fyfe said after the game.
“I sensed normal field goal kickers, Howard Fullarton and Lee Hutchinson were around me but could not sight them.
“So I went for it myself. I honestly can’t remember the last time I kicked a field goal,” he said.
Ironically, Fyfe almost had to withdraw from Easts’ side at the last moment.
He twisted an ankle on Saturday morning and required a pain killing injection before the match. Easts appeared likely to win clearly when they were ahead 15 – 12 with four minutes to go.
But the old adage that Valleys never give in came true and winger Paul Gayler scored a last ditch try in the corner.
Prop, John Crilly had the opportunity to put his side in front with a conversion attempt from near the sideline but it was off beam.
Although Valleys scored three tries to two, few would begrudge Easts their win. They were ahead 9 – 7 at halftime after playing much the better football.
Although they failed to function as well in the second half when a strong breeze was in their favour, Easts stuck to their task admirably.
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