Southcity goes back-to-back in Group Nine

The Bulls claimed back-to-back Group Nine titles with a 24-8 win over the Tigers at Equex Centre on Saturday.

While the result was far from a surprise, the script wasn’t what most were expecting.

Gundagai have been the kings of the fast start throughout the finals series, but it was Southcity who charged out of the blocks before the Tigers tried in vain to get back into the contest.

The Bulls scored the first two tries to take a 12-0 lead at half-time.

Mitch Bennett opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Nathan Rose stepped his way through the line with 10 minutes left in the half.

However the Tigers went to a higher level in the second stanza and got back into the contest when Dylan Cole scored the first of this two tries three minutes into the half.

Gundagai had plenty of momentum before rugby union convert Steven Tracey swooped on a loose ball from Luke Berkrey.

The Bulls winger went 60 metres before being dragged down, however on the next play the ball was spread wide for Scott Bowden to score.

It proved the be a game changer.

The try took the Bulls out to a 18-4 lead with 20 minutes to go.

Rose then sparked a second long range try, setting up captain-coach Nick Skinner to run away and score.

Stepping down after three season at the helm, including two premierships, it was a special win for Skinner.

“I am pretty emotional about it actually,” Skinner said. “I am stoked and I just love the club.

“They way we hung in for each other and we defended so hard in the second half.

“We got one little opportunity when Boxy (Tracey) goes down the field and scored off the back of that.”

While he rated the feeling just as good as last year’s grand final win over the Tigers, the situation was rather different.

“It is probably harder going the next year as everyone is up for you every week,” he said.

“We knew Gundagai were going to come out firing and we spoke about how we started slow in the last couple of times we played them but we started well and just stuck with it.

“I am just super proud.”

Rose was outstanding for the winners, scoring his team’s second try, setting up another and was a constant threat with both his kicking and running games.

He was named best in the grand final, but the Bulls also got plenty of work out of Skinner and Jordan Shepherd in the forwards.

Southcity can now look to emulate Albury’s three straight premierships at the start of the decade but will do so with Kyle McCarthy at the helm.

McCarthy missed the decider due to a shoulder injury, but Skinner is confident he is the right man for the job going forward.

“There is no pressure at all as we are all in it together as a club,” he said.

“We are on board with the same ideas and the same way we think about footy.

“Doc (McCarthy) is going to do a great job.”