Chris Bain gets a ball away to Simon Martoo in the Under 21’s Grand Final at Lang Park
Wynnum Seagulls claimed their first premiership of the day in 1995, when the Under 21’s staged a late try to defeat Souths 12-10 in the Grand Final at Lang Park.
The first half featured even possesion and solid defence from both sides. Souths forged ahead 10-6 after an intercept by Souths centre Reinhard Gmeinder. Unforced errors from Wynnum allowed Souths to put pressure on the Seagulls line, but Wynnum also displayed some crushing defence to contain the Magpies.
With four minutes remaining a Seagulls bomb went begging and the Baysiders looked in trouble. The bomb went up again with just two minutes left and Wynnum crossed and converted for the match winning try. Shannon Grimley kicked the pressure goal and the Seagulls had claimed victory.
Coach Jim McMullen was impressed with his sides tenacity. “They just stuck to their guns, they just handled the pressure and saved it up,” he said. McMullen praised the performances of front rowers Steven Brown and Matthew Smetheran.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 12 (M.Baldwin, Gavin Kuglar tries, Shannon Grimley 2 goals) defeated Souths 10 (Reinhard Gmelnder 2 tries and a goal)
The Wynnum Manly Under 21’s side celebrating their Grand Final win.
Wynnum Manly Under 21’s team: Deryck Bardon, Daniel Turner, Matthew Baldwin, Shannon Grimley, Russell Broadie, Aaron Smith, Mark Colley, Simon Martoo, Gavin Kugler, David Reed, Steven Brown, Matthew Smetheran, Phillip Butler, Chris Bain, Darren Powell, David Horner and Ben McGrath. The coach was Jim McMullen.
Story Source: The Wynnum Herald September, 1995.
Photo Sources: The Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
