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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2742987, member: 1899"] PANASONIC CUP FINAL In a season of spectacular advancements for Rugby League in Australia, the Panasonic Cup proved to be one of the great successes. For the first time the Cup headed west, to Western Australia, where big time league made a stunning debut before a captivated audience at Perth’s cricket holy, the WACA. Watched by 24 643 fans at the ground and beamed live into homes in the eastern states, the Parramatta-Balmain first round match was one of the high points of a series that exceeded any before it. Expansive moves to Parkes, Bathurst, Wagga and Townsville added a new flavour to the midweek Cup competition and widened appeal considerably. Success in the Panasonic Cup was Brisbane’s, but not before an almighty struggle. Wally Lewis’ Broncos became the first club side outside Sydney to win the Cup. Earlier, combined teams, Western Division (1974) and Combined Brisbane (1984) had won titles. The 1989 Cup final will go down as the most memorable in the history of the midweek competition. BRISBANE 22, ILLAWARRA 20 at Parramatta Stadium It was the classic David and Goliath confrontation. Brisbane, among the Winfield Cup front runners and bolstered by seven internationals, against Illawarra, dead last in the premiership and whose hopes rested in the hands of two English internationals, Andy Gregory and Steve Hampson. Inwardly, Cup promoters and league officials must have feared an embarrassing whitewash. A no contest. Just after a quarter time the nightmare was becoming real. When big Sam Backo powered over for the Broncos’ third try and a 16-0 lead, the match looked shot to pieces. But those who lacked faith in the ability of the Illawarra side were humbled in the events of the next hour’s play. The feisty Gregory played his first card at the half hour mark, kicking in-goal for teenage sensation Brett Rodwell to pounce upon for the Steelers’ opening try. Minutes later Jeff Hardy plucked an intercept and sprinted toward the Broncos’ line. As the defence ran him down he sent the ball to flying winger Rod Wishart who made for the try line. Broncos’ winger Michael Hancock had him in his sights but as he dived for Wishart’s legs the talented young Steelers fended him away and he scored beneath the posts. At halftime the Broncos lead had closed to 16-12 and a desperate third quarter of cut and thrust football produced no points…until the siren. Halfback Gregory was late tackled by Hancock and the Steelers received a penalty wide out. Wishart kicked straight and true as the three quarter siren sounded. At 16-14 the match was poised for a heart-stopping final 20 minutes as both sides threw everything they had at each other. Illawarra’s men performed well above themselves, and the support of the crowd was 99 percent behind them. Wishart, Rodwell and Schifilliti matched strides with Lewis, Langer and Miles. The fairytale turned sour when Peter Jackson engineered a try for Miles five minutes before fulltime and a 22-14 lead, but Illawarra weren’t done with. A minute later Steve Hampson dummied to his outside men and cut through to score for 22-18 and Wishart’s fourth successful goal made it 22-20. The Steelers got the ball from the kick-off and immediately threw it wide. Eventually, in their desperation, Illawarra’s ball was intercepted by Miles and the issue was decided. Brisbane won, just like everyone thought they would. But the way they got there confounded all expectations. It was the Broncos’ first title. Back in Wollongong, Illawarra were greeted by 10,000 wildly excited fans who gathered outside the Town Hall at midnight to acclaim their heroes. There were no losers. Brisbane Broncos 22 (Jackson, Kilroy, Backo, Miles tries; Matterson 3 goals) defeated Illawarra Steelers (Hampton, Wishart, Rodwell tries; Wishart 4 goals) Brisbane Broncos Shane Duffy, Michael Hancock, Tony Currie, Peter Jackson, Joe Kilroy Wally Lewis, Allan Langer Greg Dowling, Kerrod Walters, Sam Backo, Brett Le Man, Gene Miles, Terry Matterson Reserves: James Donnelly Illawarra Steelers Steve Hampson, Rod Wishart, Brett Rodwell, Jeff Hardy, Jason Moon Tony Smith, Andy Gregory Chris Walsh, Dean Schifilliti, Michael Carberry, Dean Hanson, Les Morrissey, Ian Russell Reserves: Cavill Heugh, Craig Keen, Michael Bolt, Trevor Kissell Round 1 Brisbane defeated Canberra 18-13 at Pioneer Oval, Parkes, March 1. Man of the Match: Terry Matterson (Brisbane) Quarter Finals Brisbane defeated Parramatta 42-6 at Townsville Sports Reserve, May 17, Man of the match: Terry Matterson (Brisbane) Semi-Finals Brisbane defeated South Sydney 24-4 at Carrington Park, Bathurst, May 31. Man of the Match: Peter Jackson Midweek Cup Superstar 1989: Terry Matterson [/QUOTE]

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