After going through the Premier 1 rugby season undefeated, Avoca Beach narrowly lost the major semi-final to the Razorbacks on September 9 and will now meet Terrigal in the preliminary final on September 16 to play for the right to face-off against the Razorbacks in the grand final.
The Razorbacks snuck home by 24-21 in the semi, which was a thriller from start to finish.
Played at twilight at Woy Woy Oval, the match went into extra time after scores were locked at 21-all at the end of normal full-time.
The Razorbacks opened the scoring with two early penalty goals but it was not long before Avoca Beach responded with an opening try.
At the 31st minute the Razorbacks crossed for their first try to increase their lead to 11-5 but a late penalty goal from Avoca Beach saw the Razorbacks going into the half-time break with an 11-8 lead.
Avoca Beach had the better of the opening stages of the second half, kicking another penalty goal and then crossing for their second try to take the lead 18-11.
The Razorbacks replied with their own converted try to lock up the scores at 18-all with time running out.
At the 35th minute the Razorbacks jumped ahead on the scoreboard with a penalty goal to lead by 21-18, with Avoca Beach responding with their own penalty goal late in the half to square up the score at 21-all at the full-time bell.
As the match went into extra time, two halves of 10 minutes each were a real arm wrestle with no points scored until the very last seconds when Razorbacks fullback Ryan Fenning kicked a long-range penalty goal to clinch the match.
Best players for the Razorbacks were prop Mackenzie Zammit, No.8 Lachlan Peruch, flanker Matt Martin and fullback Ryan Fenning.
Avoca Beach was best served by centre Alex Halls, halfback Mitch Magrath and lock Matt Anderson.
The Razorbacks go straight to the grand final at Industree Group Stadium on September 23 to play the winner of the Avoca Beach-Terrigal preliminary final on September 16.
In the Premier 1 elimination minor semi-final, Terrigal defeated Warnervale by 12-3, securing their spot in the grand final after going to the half-time break with a 7-3 lead.
Terrigal increased the lead early in the second half, crossing for the second try in the seventh minute.
This took them to a 12-3 lead and that remained the score until the end.
Best players for Terrigal were No.8 Salipopo Pamata, lock Macklan Collins and fullback Jayden Woolley.
Warnervale’s best efforts were put in by No.8 Tevita Piukala, fullback Isaiah Niumata and hooker Hosea Fotukava.
In the Premier 2 major semi-final, Terrigal recorded a pleasing 29-10 win over Avoca Beach after being in control for long periods of the match.
The first half was very evenly matched, with Terrigal going to the half-time break leading by 12-10.
But Terrigal really took control in the second half, chalking up another 17 points.
Terrigal goes straight to the grand final while Avoca Beach faces the Razorbacks on September 16 in the preliminary final so see if they get another chance to take on Terrigal.
The Razorbacks won the President’s Cup major semi-final, narrowly defeating Terrigal by 11-9.
The Razorbacks continue on to the grand final while Terrigal takes on Gosford/Kariong on September 16 in the preliminary final to see who goes to the big one.
The Women’s 10s major semi-final saw Avoca Beach prove too strong for Terrigal with a 17-12 win.
Avoca Beach continues to the grand final on September 23, while Terrigal plays The Lakes in the preliminary final on September 16.
The preliminary final on September 16 at Woy Woy Oval will see: Terrigal take on Gosford/Kariong in the Presidents’ Cup at 11am; Avoca Beach play the Razorbacks in Premier 2 at 12.30pm; Terrigal take on the Lakes in the Women’s 10s at 2.10pm; and Avoca Beach and Terrigal battle it out in Premier 1 at 3.15pm.
Source:
Central Coast Rugby