Division Labatt’s Cup. ▪ Contributed
In all his years of football, playing both rugby league and rugby union at club and representative levels, it seems 21 year old Khaleb Whitehurst had to leave the country before he could win his first grand final.
Whitehurst finally achieved that long awaited dream on Saturday playing in Canada for the St Albert Rams Rugby Union Club.
Whitehurst’s team defeated the Calgary Saints in the Men’s 1st Division Provincial Final 40-12 to claim the Labatt’s Cup.
The week prior, the former Cobar Rooster and Cobar Camel had also helped the Rams in securing their grand final placement against the Nor Westers in the Ken Ann Cup Final.
In a report from the St Albert Gazette newspaper, the Rams been had hanging onto a narrow two point lead when, in what the coach described as a ‘moral boosting’ play, Whitehurst broke through the opposition’s defence to race to the try line and score, sealing the deal to win 28-19.
In an after match interview Whitehurst told St Albert Gazette reporter Jeff Hansen that a game like that comes down to who wants it more.
“It’s desire. You’ve got to have a big will and we definitely wanted this game today,” Whitehurst said in his after match interview.
“It’s a good feeling when everyone pats you on the back after you do something like that for the team.”
Following his grand final win, Whitehurst is reported to have celebrated in true Cobar style, long and hard after the match!
