Heavens Above... Knights win the Cup!

The New York Knights stopped what looked certain to be a fifth Bulls Title with an impressive display of Rugby League to take out the 2002 Championship Trophy. The Knights who started the playoffs in 4^th spot with must win games back to back found form at the right time of year coming into the final.

The Bulls coming off a hard fought victory over the first placed Sharks were determined to not let their home crowd down and started the match with all guns blazing. The first 10 mins of the games belonged to the Bulls as a number of simple New York mistakes saw Glen Mills attack the line on numerous occasions. Determined yards by their massive forward pack put the Bulls in excellent field position and then draw first blood with a try to Rick Forwood under the posts.

The Knights defense was again tested as the Bulls continued to apply pressure through Cory Sheridan and David Niu. Both players found space to move but couldn't capitalize as the Knights held on against repeats sets of six downs.

After a sensational 20 minutes by Glen Mills, the Knights looked as though they might never see their half until a smart cutout pass from Mike Mulvihill onto Nicre Dacre saw him beat 2 defenders and throw a one handed flick ball to Rich Portale who raced 50 yards to score with a perfect 10 dive in the corner.

Although the conversion was unsuccessful, the Knights clicked gears and never looked back. The next 20 minutes both teams matched each other perfectly with a bruising display of hits and runs that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Outstanding yards from New York prop Hayden James kept the play alive and Mike Mulvihill was only to pleased to find Nicre Dacre again who produced almost an identical step to the first try except this time in open space and then again in the corner to score.

Half time saw the Knights leading 8 to 6 but it was any teams game as both clubs dominated for an equal amount of time.

The second half saw the skies build with black clouds as a result of one of the hottest and driest summers on record and it looked as if the game may be not completed in time. On the field the action belonged yet again to the Knights as they scored 2 more sensational tries outwide through newcomer Danny Bull.

With the Knights leading 18 points to 6, the Bulls lost both Carr Barr (Torn ACL) and David Niu (Ribs) within the space of 5 minutes. The game was stopped for a lengthy period due to both injuries and it was now certain the game was about to change direction with the storm of the year surrounding the sky and ready to command attention.

The Bulls had other ideas, and Captain Shayne Mains and Ed Woodbridge found solid yards up the middle before a clever step by Cory Sheridan saw him under the posts with Pat McShea converting the try.

With 20 minutes left on the clock and play just under way, the first drop of rain hit the field followed by what seemed like a wall of water only seconds later. Lighting crashes and old mother cries as the game was called complete an awarded to the New York after officials waited in vain for a sign of the dangerous conditions to end. The heavens continued to pour throughout the night and so did the New York team as they celebrated their first ever championship in impressive style.

The Bulls took the defeat well but will always wonder what if and if only they could have those final 20 minutes on another day.

New York Knights
American National Rugby League
2002 Champions

New York 18 - Danny Bull 2, Rich Portale, Nigel Dacre tries
Mike Mulvihill 1 Goal
Glen Mills 12 - Rick Forwood, Cory Sheridan tries
David Niu, Pat McShea goals

Referee: Graham Desmond
Line Judges: Bill Bowen, Ruan Mcgough

Photographs by Duane Plank.

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