Avoca Beach have booked a date with Minor Premiers Terrigal in the Major Semi-final while The Lakes have bowed out of season 2022 after losing to the Ourimbah Razorbacks in the first week of the CCRU semi-finals.
In the Qualifying Semi-final, Avoca Beach defeated Kariong 30-14 after a titanic struggle that went into extra time.
Avoca Beach had the better of the first half and went to the halftime beak leading by 11 points to nil.
The second half was a different story, with Kariong crossing for two tries in the second half including a converted try right at the end of normal time.
The conversion from near touch saw the scored locked at 14 points apiece at full-time.
However, it was Avoca Beach who regained the ascendency in the extra 20 minutes of the match to secure a significant victory.
Best players for Avoca Beach were flanker Harrison Bowcock, who was everywhere during the match, fullback Mitchell Briggs, and halfback Mitch Magrath.
The goal kicking of Sam Evans also proved vital with six match winning goals.
Kariong were best served by prop Jonah Manuao, lock Nick Outram and No.8 Lachlan Peruch.
Kariong will now play in the elimination Minor Semi-final against the Razorbacks on Saturday (Sep 10) after the Razorbacks defeated The Lakes by 37 points to 19.
In drizzly, damp conditions, The Lakes opened the scoring with a try in the opening stages of the match, but it was not long before the Razorbacks responded and posted their first try to take the lead 7 points to 5.
The Razorbacks posted two further tries before half time, but The Lakes were able to respond to with a second try of their own to keep in touch at the break.
The early stages of the second half saw the Razorbacks take control and run out comfortable winners.
Best players for the Razorbacks were lock James Mann, and flankers Lochlan Stuhne-Scott and James Blanch while The Lakes were best served by half back Logan Hemopo, who crossed for 2 tries, lock Reihana Hemopo and flanker Peni Rauluni.
In the President’s Cup, The Lakes narrowly defeated Terrigal Blue, 11-9 while the Women’s 7’s Minor Semi-final saw Hornsby prove too strong for The Lakes running out winners by 26 points to 12.
This weekend’s Major Semi-final match between Terrigal and Avoca Beach, to be played in the early evening at Woy Woy oval, promises to be a thriller between two great rivals with the winner booking a place in the 2022 Grand Final at Central Coast Stadium.
Terrigal have won both clashes this year and will go into this contest as slight favourites but that may count for little if Avoca Beach can hit their straps.
CCN