Last weekend saw the commencement of the 1st week of finals with two blockbuster games taking place across the weekend. Minor Premiers Teachers West took on the LARCS in what was set to be a cracking Major Semi Final. In the Minor Semi Final on Sunday, Charters Towers travelled in to do battle with North Ward in their final battle this year.
Major Semi Final – Teachers West V LARCS
The match of the finals took place on Saturday afternoon when Minor Premiers Teachers West set out to maintain their dominant run over the TDRU competition, standing in their way was a determined LARC side looking to put on a physical display. As anticipated the LARCS came out firing, stunning the defending premiers with some brutal defence. With a mountain of early possession favouring the Lavarack boys, they put the first 10 points of the match on the board including a try scored by bulking second rower Sam Fermor. It didn’t take long for Teachers West to flex their muscles with some slick backline movements resulting in two quick tries to backline pairing Daniel Chorley and Curtis Rayment putting the defending premiers back in front before halftime. After the break it was more of the same with the physicality of both sides going up another level, but it was the class of Teachers West that shone through with a late try to prop Angus Small sealing victory for the bulldogs 34-10. Teachers West earn a week off and progress through to the Grand Final, whilst the LARCS have a second chance this weekend against the winner of North Ward & Charters Towers.
Teachers West – 34 (Angus small 1T, Josh Lamb 1T, Daniel Chorley 1T, Curtis Rayment 1T, Josh Fletcher 2T, 2C)
LARCS – 10 (Sam Fermor 1T, Jackson Pearson 1C, 1PG)
Minor Semi Final – North Ward V Charters Towers
Sunday evening saw the final game of the weekend and the 1st grade Minor Semi Final take place with North Ward taking on Charters Towers. After just scraping into the final 4 last week, Charters Towers knew they had to be at the top of their game when they travelled into Townsville as they knew North Ward were no easy beats. As expected, the opening exchanges of the match were brutal with strong defence from both sides, but it was North Ward who drew first blood in the match with a try to Connor Cavallin mid-way through the first half. With North Ward taking a 17-0 lead into the break, Charters Towers knew they had to turn it on in the second half if they were to stay in the hunt for a place in the Grand Final and did so with a barnstorming pick and drive effort from reserve prop Eddie Larry resulting in a try. North Ward have become know to pile on points very quickly this season and did so with three quick tries to all but seal a victory and keep their grand final chances alive. North Ward now progress through to take on LARCS this weekend, whilst Charters Towers unfortunately exit the competition, congratulations on a great season.
North Ward – 34 (Nathan Diedrichs 1T, Liam Guides 1T, Hadlee Conroy 1T, Connor Cavallin 1T, Jeremy Pullen 1T, Lachlan Cavallin 1T, Sam Delaney 2C)
Charters Towers – 12 (Jacob Day 1T, Eddie Larry 1T, Sam Knuth 1C)
This weekend will see the preliminary final take place with North Ward and the LARCS clashing for one final time this year. The winner of this match will rightfully earn their place in next weekend’s Grand Final against Teachers West. This game is sure to be a blockbuster so head on down to Mike Carney Toyota Park with kick-off at 5:50pm on Saturday.
