Late try seals premiership for suburbs

By Stuart Teather
EASTERN Suburbs won the 2008 rugby union Pillar Cup in dramatic fashion on Friday, running over the top of defending premiers the Westgate Power to secure a 31-30 victory.
It was a game unlike any other for the Suburbs, who went through the regular season undefeated and were rarely challenged.
The Suburbs finished three games clear on top of the ladder at the end of the season and waltzed through their semi-final against the North West Uni Lions.
But the Power, determined to claim back-to-back grand final victories over the Suburbs, threw everything they had at the season decider.
The Suburbs got out to a flying start, scoring a try within the first minute of the game, but the Power hit back and the Suburbs trailed for almost the entire game.
But a desperate try two minutes out from the final siren put the Suburbs in front and the team held on for a magnificent victory.
Suburbs coach Stephen Tia said the game was a fantastic spectacle.
“We just came over the top in the last 10-20 minutes,” he said.
“It was sensational, everybody in the crowd said it was one of the fastest and best games of rugby they’ve seen in Victoria for a long time.
“I went into the change rooms and said to the boys at halftime, ‘it’s not because we’re lacking effort, we’re lacking execution’.
“And the other side too were strong, really strong, and we always knew that.”
Tia said his side was the dominant team in the competition.
“Winning 12 (games) straight is just about unheard of, with the pressure we were copping from all parts,” he said.
“I’m just rapt for the players from the three clubs Maroondah, Endeavour Hills and Box Hill… to have players from each side play the way they do and come together like brothers is just sensational to watch.”
As for the win, he said it was the perfect end to the season.
“Sometimes a one-point victory over your arch-enemy is better than a 50-point win, especially in the last 10 minutes of the premiership.”