COFFS Harbour Snappers’ reserve grade completed an undefeated season to record their fourth title in a row during a 22-19 win against Kempsey in the Mid North Coast Rugby Union grand finals in Port Macquarie last weekend.
While the first-grade men and women were defeated in close encounters, the courageous reserve grade side held on to defeat the fast-finishing Kempsey Cannonballs.
Alex Vaughan was voted man of the match while Dane Cross and Cameron Sweeny also had strong games for the premiers.
The first-grade women came into their game against Grafton as defending premiers but long-shot outsiders against the undefeated Grafton women.
However, after trailing at one stage 19-0, the Snappers women clawed their way back into the match. With the scores locked at 19-all in the dying seconds, Grafton found themselves crossing the line to clinch the game to secure a deserved 2026 premiership crown.
It was a fightback for the ages for the Snappers women. Brooklyn French scored a double after Ash Downton crossed for the Snappers’ first try. Eryn Sandry slotted two conversions from the sideline. All the Snappers’ points came in the second half.
The first-grade men also fell just short, once again finding themselves chasing Pirates in the dying minutes.
Down 30-15 with six minutes to play, the Snappers crossed for two converted tries but couldn’t complete the fairytale comeback, losing 30-29.
The Snappers lost their inspirational fly half and captain Jonah Colburn to an act of vicious foul play after 20 minutes. Colburn was headbutted and the Pirates player was sent from the field. Colburn never recovered and soon left the field himself.
The Snappers failed to take advantage of the extra numbers. Handling errors and ill-discipline allowed the Pirates to score back-to-back tries early in the second half.
The Pirates side battled courageously with only 14 men and were ultimately deserving winners.
Morgan French was again at his best for the Snappers, along with Finn Martin.
The Snappers’ under-14 girls made it two years in a row earlier in the day with a huge win over Grafton 53-5.
This group of girls worked tirelessly all year and were brilliant in their execution.
It was a commendable performance from the Grafton girls, who only entered the competition in 2026 and with many of their girls playing rugby for the first time.
The Snappers’ under-16s girls went down on full time in arguably the match of the day against Marlins.
Both sides played with vigour and passion. It was end-to-end rugby with Marlins clinching the premiership on full time with a try to Bella Moran, who also scored the match-winner in the women’s fixture.
The Marlins’ try-scorers were Olivia Pymont, Makayla Chang, Kenzie Charnock, Maddy Johnston and Isabella Moran. Makayla Chang kicked a conversion. For the Snappers, Bobbi Rattray crossed for two tries. Molly Biddle and Leila Perdicaro also scored for the red and black.
The Marlins made it two from two on grand final day with a comprehensive win over the Snappers in the under-16 boys. The Marlins won 35-19. For Marlins, Riley Wood, Payton McMurray, Noah Hart and Ryder Kapukaya all scored tries. Liam Straker kicked three conversions and three penalty goals. For the Snappers, Thomas Joyce bagged a double with Brock Edwards scoring the Snappers’ only other try. Harry Lind and Jack White each kicked a conversion.
The Snappers’ under-18s also went down on full time 29-28. The Snappers boys led for most of the game before a Vikings try and conversion sealed the win at the death.
The Vikings also defeated the Snappers in the under-14s grand final 26-15.
It was a day of mixed results for the Snappers but the club is super proud that eight teams made it to eight grand finals, with two teams tasting victory.
A big thank you to the Port Pirates for hosting what was one of the zone’s most exciting grand final days in years.
A big thank you also to the match officials and all the volunteers who plug many hours into their respective clubs and organisations.
By James de DASSEL
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