05/09/2026
Shoalhaven Through to Fifth Straight Grand Final
By Ron Wood
Shoalhaven have booked a spot in their fifth straight IDRU Grand Final after an enthralling 32-27 victory over Kiama at Ocean Park, Woonona. With both sides scoring five tries, the result was in the balance right down to the final whistle. In a highly competitive match, it was another clinical defensive effort from the Shoalies that propelled them into next week’s decider with Campbelltown.
Kiama started the better scoring two early tries which suggested that it was going to be their day with another impressive display of attacking football. Shoalhaven had the better of the field position early but it was Kiama that opened the scoring.
With Shoalies producing another strong defensive effort from the outset, Kiama only managed to get inside the Shoalhaven quarter on two occasions in the first fifteen minutes of play. On each occasion talented winger Nico Cowley finished off good work from his inside backs to touch down. The first was a standard backline effort while his second saw him deal with three Shoalhaven defenders in an electrifying swerving run to the line. Fly Half Cooper Hanson had an off day with the boot missing both conversion but Kiama were out to a 10-0 lead after fourteen minutes of play.
Shoalhaven’s fast moving defensive line took its toll on the Cows forcing the side into error and an amazing attacking effort from Shoalhaven centre Matorino Atunaisa turned the match right on its head. Atunaisa put on three tries in the run up to the Half-Time break. The first came from a powerful individual burst on the left side of the field as the big Country Rep opened the scoring for the Shoalies. For his second he was required to do a bit more evasive work before beating three defenders to score. His third try came on the back of a remarkable 100 metre effort from the side after Kiama almost scored at the other end of the ground. The play started from a quick line out throw from the Shoalies five out from their own line in the North West corner. In four phases of play the ball was carried diagonally right up field with Atunaisa finishing things off in the South East corner. With the second try converted by Mark Brandon the entire complexion of the game had changed with Shoalies going to the break with a well-earned 17-10 lead.
During the break both Coaches were able to convince their sides of the importance of the next forty minutes and the second half certainly saw a significant lift in intensity from both sides. The mercurial Mark Brandon opened the scoring in the clubhouse corner with a converted try as the Shoalies looked to be taking a hold on the match, with a 24-10 points lead after just three minutes of the half.
Five minutes into the half, Veteran Cows forward Leighton Cowley joined the match as a replacement and the Cows responded to his presence lifting their effort. Cowley himself got the next try from close range after several phases of play from the Cows close to the Shoalies line. Hanson missed the conversion again from wide out on the left and with Brandon shortly adding a penalty goal to the tally Shoalhaven were out by 27-15.
Kiama once again found their attacking flair but it was the outstanding fast moving Shoalhaven defensive line that dominated the play. Taking advantage of a run of penalties Kiama closed the margin through a try from close quarters by big Lock Atu Taufa to reduce the margin to seven with less than ten minutes to go. The Cows threw everything into their effort and when young Fullback Callum Hodgson scored a scintillating try from forty out, converted by replacement Robert Siteine, the scores were locked at 27 all with less than five minutes left.
With extra time looking increasingly likely, Shoalies mounted a desperate attacking effort, managing to put considerable pressure on the Cows line. After several phases of innocuous play close to the Cows line Shoalhaven Skipper George Miller scored the try which would ultimately take his side into their fifth straight Grand Final.
From the restart Kiama managed to gain possession inside the Shoalhaven quarter raising the hopes of their supporters, but the Cows couldn’t find a way through the Shoalies defence. A turnover of possession and a kick into touch delivered a place in next weeks Grand Final to Shoalhaven.
At times in this match Kiama showed the full extent of their attacking ability but could not maintain their effort in the face of Shoalhavens outstanding defensive resolve. Once again the Cows were well served by Atu Taufa, and Jeremy Cairns in tight with experienced replacement Leighton Cowley inspiring an extra effort from the Cows after coming on after Half Time. Half-Back Tom Baker sparked the side again with his clever play and service to his backline until he was forced off with a leg injury late in proceedings. Nico Cowley and Callum Hodgson showed that the future is in good hands at Kiama going forward.
Shoalhaven’s defensive resolve was once again the major factor in their victory in this match. Their defensive line speed and commitment to the task is a major factor in the success they have enjoyed over several campaigns in the past five years. The amazing attacking effort from Tori Atunaisa was inspirational for his side, with the efforts from those inside him Sam Watts, Harri Hibbs and centre partner Jack Watts also a significant factor in the sides win. The solid work of Jett Fraser, Tom Allen and George Miller was once again outstanding this week.
Now it’s onto the Grand Final next week at Collegians Sports Centre in Figtree.
Shoalhaven 32 (Matorino Atunaisa 3 tries, George Miller 1 try, Mark Brandon 1 try, 2 goals, 1 penalty goal) Def Kiama 27 (Nico Cowley 2 tries, Leighton Cowley 1 try, Atu Taufa 1 try, Callum Hodgson 1 try, Robert Siteine 1 goal)
Second Grade
Avondale 24 (Darnell Te Ahuru 2 tries, Lawrence Gok 1 try, Mitchell Pymont 1 try, Preston Hanson 2 goals) Def Wollongong University 17 (Lincoln Thompson 1 try, Callam Rath 1 try, Jack Hannaford 1 try, 1 goal).
Next Week
Grand Finals – Collegians Sports Centre
First Grade Campbelltown V Shoalhaven
Second Grade Shamrocks V Avondale
