The Woodchoppers capped off a memorable year by taking out the 2005 Art Wright cup adding Major to it’s already minor premiership tag.

Bulahdelah supporters came out of the woodwork to watch the boys take on University in sweltering conditions, the Bulahdelah players were always quietly confident in the lead up to the game with a dream run into the tail end of the comp. From the outset the choppers looked in control, playing the game in Uni’s half allowing crafty halfback Dale Higgins to weave his magic in close to the line for two classy tries. Uni hit back with 90 metre try off a crisp Dale Higgins pass to put some pressure back onto Bulahdelah. Andrew Turnbull hit a lovely gap off 5/8 Greg Tassel to score under the post to take the Choppers to an 18-4 lead. The heat factor began to play a part in the game as the Uni side picked up a few piggy backs here and there to keep the Bulahdelah side tackling themselves out of energy. Half time score of 18 all had the huge Blue and White crowd a bit nervy as we went for a breather in the shed and a re-think about why we were there.

The Woodchoppers skill and fitness prevailed in the second half with a pure guts effort from everyone on the park to keep Uni scoreless and rack up another 22 points to win 40-18. Two second half porky pies to Andrew Turnbull, another two for Higgsy and the icing on the cake was a neat step and try under the post to workhorse Lawrence Richardson.

Congratulation to Captain coach Greg Tassel on steering Bulahdelah to the first premiership since 1992. It’s a long hard season but he kept the side focused through them freezing cold training sessions and missed games from forfeits against us at home.

Thirteen years on there were still four players remaining from that 1992 grand final side, Neil the Warhorse Reynolds, Tony Smith, Andrew Turnbull and Aaron Reinhard.

A HUGE thanks again to the Sponsors and supporters for creating an awesome atmosphere on Grand Final day and back at the club.