The 2024 Central Coast Rugby Union season is now heading into the final series to culminate in the grand final on August 24 at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford.
Round 14 on July 27 was the last of the rounds when Avoca Beach travelled to Woongarrah Oval to meet home team Warnervale in what proved a cliffhanger from start to finish, with Warnervale winning the match 13-8.
The win sees Warnervale leap into second spot on the competition ladder and they will meet Minor Premiers Terrigal in the major semi-final on August 10.
Avoca Beach opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the opening few minutes of the match, with the 3-0 score remaining in place until half-time, with neither team able to cross for a try.
Warnervale took the lead in the first few minutes of the second half, crossing for a converted try to lead 7-3.
Avoca Beach responded with their own try but two penalty goals to Warnervale later in the half sealed the victory.
Best players for Warnervale were flanker Tevita Piukala, centre Sione Piukala and hooker Matt Willmott.
Avoca Beach had several good performances, but none were better than hooker Cooper Elliott, fullback Michael Houssenloge, centre Liam Jenkins and winger Tyler Park.
It was a significant victory for Warnervale, who now get a week’s rest, while Avoca Beach will meet the Razorbacks on August 3 in the minor semi-final.
Terrigal hosted Gosford at The Haven Oval, with the home team securing a 70-24 victory.
Terrigal got away to a great start and opened the scoring with a converted try after 15 minutes.
This was followed by two quick tries, and suddenly Terrigal had jumped to a very handy 21-0 lead.
Gosford never backed off and maintained the effort but Terrigal went to the half-time break leading by 35-7.
Terrigal continued to attack in the second half and were able to post a further 35 points in the second stanza, with Gosford posting four tries.
Best players for Terrigal were hooker Ethan McInnes, who was playing his 100th Premier 1 match and who also scored two tries, No.8 Lachlan Sooialo and flanker Edward Bookalli.
Gosford was best served by No.8 Taylor Mildren, centre Will Sharpe, winger Max Farmer and halfback Ben Shelley.
Terrigal will have the week off and then meet Warnervale in the major semi-final on August 10.
For Gosford, it was an end to the 2024 season.
Terrigal also holds on to the Challenge Shield for this season.
Lake Macquarie cruised home with a 99-31 win over Woy Woy match at Woy Woy Oval with 19 tries scored in the match.
Lake Macquarie was always in control on the scoreboard and on the paddock, going to the half-time break leading by 54-12.
Best players for Lake Macquarie were centre Isaako Enosa, flanker Jarod Scott and hooker Matt Bartley.
Woy Woy had several good performances but none were better than hooker Daniel King, who crossed for three tries, lock Tofua Fifita and centre Guy Blades.
Both teams see their season completed for 2024.
At the end of the final round, the Premier 1 point table sees Terrigal on 55, followed by Warnervale on 41, the Razorbacks on 38, Avoca Beach on 36, Lake Macquarie on 23, Gosford on 17 and Woy Woy on 1.
The CCRU Women’s 12s competition saw The Lakes and the Razorbacks draw 10-all, which was enough for The Lakes to make the finals.
Wins were also secured by Lake Macquarie, who finish as Minor Premiers, and Avoca Beach.
These two teams will meet in the major semi-final on August 10.
In the President’s Cup competition, the Razorbacks defeated The Bay on Friday night, and on Saturday, Avoca Beach, Terrigal, Kariong and The Lakes all recorded victories.
The minor semi-finals will be held on August 3 at Woy Woy Oval, kicking off at 11am with Warnervale playing Kariong in the President’s Cup.
At 12.25pm, the Women’s 12 minor semi-final sees Terrigal take on The Lakes, followed at 1.35pm by the Premier 2 minor semi between Avoca Beach and The Razorbacks.
The Premier 1 minor semi-final kicks off at 3.15pm – again between Avoca Beach and the Razorbacks.