Northampton stun Railways to claim reserves title in one-point thriller

It was a battle of the top two sides in the reserves grand final at the Country Builder’s Stadium on Saturday with the previously undefeated Railways going in as clear favourites against their rivals Northampton.

The Rams bucked recent form and came out as close winners in a highly charged and entertaining match-up with the score being as close as it could be 7.7 (49) to Railways 7.6 (48).

Railways had a comfortable lead in the first quarter even after inaccurate kicking from both sides. They went into the first break 16 points ahead of the Rams, 2.5 (17) to 0.1. (1).

Liam Clarkson and Aaron Dow scored for the Blues, but the team missed far too many goal-scoring opportunities which could have given them an insurmountable lead.

In the in the second quarter, a renewed Rams side made the Blues pay for more inaccurate shooting attempts.

The Rams closed the gap at the half, with Northampton at 3.4 (22) to Railways’ 3.6 (24).

Dean Higbee was on fire for the Rams, kicking two superb goals with Liam Campbell adding a third.

Railways only managed to add a single goal from Joseph Laria, with their forward line panicked in front of the posts.

There was nothing between the sides in the second half, with the Rams just edging the game in terms of sheer determination and tenacity.

A superb third quarter form Northampton saw them go into the final break as leaders, 5.6 (42) to the Blues 4.6 (30).

Liam Clarkson played exceptionally well for the Blues, adding two more to his overall tally of four goals. Despite his contribution, Clarkson must have been having nightmares about his inability to convert his behinds into more points.

Railways looked like they were going to take it from the Rams with a late charge, but Northampton held their nerve and got the luck of the bounce on many occasions.

This was the Rams’ afternoon though, with Dean Higbee scoring four, Jarrah Reeves and Jed Robertson also getting on the scoresheet with well-placed goals in the second half, aided by a solid back line.

Matt Bishop was instrumental in the Rams’ victory, proving momentum and support from the middle of the oval.

Michael Wright Jr, who came away with the best-on-ground award, was ecstatic after the game, applauding his opponents after the well-fought battle.

“Railways had to push us that extra mile,” he said.

Railways club staff were devastated after the loss.

“To go all season undefeated and to lose in the grand final, just heartbreaking,” they said.

Northampton’s reserves coach Ryley Fenner was jubilant.

“We dug in and made it count,” he said while accepting the winners’ trophy.