By Independent Hornsby Councillor, Nathan Tilbury
Last Sunday at Greenway Park, I witnessed something so much more than sport.
The Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Stags U/19s were hosting the Wentworthville Magpies in a semi-final. With the Stags the higher-placed team, a draw would send them to the grand final.
At 10–10, with seconds remaining, Wentworthville attacked the Stags’ line. On the final tackle, their powerful centre charged for the try-line out wide, but desperate cover defence stopped him just short. The referee awarded the Magpies a penalty directly in front of the posts, seemingly a certain match-winner.
But the centre, brought down in a completely legal tackle, appeared badly injured. An ambulance was called. Staff from both clubs, including the Stags’ president, stayed by his side.
The game was instantly forgotten. Players from both teams instinctively came together in a circle, sharing a thought or prayer for their teammate, or opponent. It was deeply moving.
After more than 30 minutes, the match had to be abandoned at 10–10 under the rules. The Stags, not wanting to qualify this way, raised the possibility of a mid-week replay, but officials had no choice.
Although extremely disappointed, the Magpies congratulated their opponents and wished them well for the grand final.
Happily, the injured player has since left hospital and will make a full recovery. Despite the negative perception too often attached to teenage men, these players showed genuine maturity, compassion and respect.
Congratulations to both teams for reminding us that sport can be about so much more than the result.
