The Natixis HKFC Sequins set the tone for the Football Club teams in the Grand Championship Finals Day beating the national league four champions, the Disciplined Services, by 29 points to 13. Their match was first up on Kings Park two pitch and the postage stamp size field suited the more forward orientated approach of the Sequins.
Man of the match for the Sequins, scrum half, Patrick Long orchestrated his pack of forwards from the outset and stopped their younger, quicker opposition from getting a foothold in the game with their more expansive style. The postage stamp size pitch also helped their cause but take noting away from the Sequins they were well worth their victory leading from start to finish.
The forwards were well served with second row Steve Marcon totally dominant in the lineout and Dean Stallard showing up like a rampaging bull in the loose as the pair have been doing all season.
The backs largely played a supporting role on the day as Scott Lindsay’s game plan was stuck rigidly to but when they were called upon they delivered. Inside centre Paul Christopher carried hard through the heart of the Disciplined Services defence and Callum Dunn unable to show his silky skills in attack was a rock like figure in defence, snuffing out one attack in his 22 with such ferocity he had the opposition questioning the legality of his tackle.
The Grand Championship win was just rewards for the whole of the squad as they’ve battled at the top of national league four for the past two seasons and while winning the league last season was satisfying, the focus this season switched to lifting the Grand Championship trophy.