Avoca Beach inched out Warnervale by just one point to secure the Premier 1 Preliminary Final at Woy Woy Oval on August 17 and will go on to meet Terrigal in the Central Coast rugby union grand final on August 24 at Industree Group Stadium.
In one of the closest matches in finals history, Avoca Beach recorded an 18-17 win, with fans on tenterhooks until the full-time buzzer.
Warnervale opened the scoring when they crossed for a try in the 11th minute to lead by 5-0 but Avoca Beach soon hit back and secured their first points.
A try to winger Michael Houssenloge saw them score a converted try to take the lead in the 18th minute by 7-5.
This was soon followed by a penalty goal to Avoca Beach, with the score sitting at 10-5 until Warnervale crossed for a second try late in the half to lead by 12-10 going into the half-time break.
Avoca Beach controlled territory and possession for the first 20 minutes of the second half but were unable to post points due to some outstanding Warnervale defence.
It wasn’t until the 30th minute that Avoca Beach was able to break through and post the first points of the second half.
A kick and chase by winger Michael Houssenloge saw him race through for his second try to take the Sharks to a 15-12 lead.
With four minutes to go, Warnervale crossed for a great try through centre Keegan Quakawoot, in what was his second try in the match.
The conversion was missed but Warnervale had taken the lead once again, by 17-15 with time running out.
Avoca Beach kicked a penalty goal with only minutes left, to snatch an 18-17 points victory.
Best players for Avoca Beach were winger Michael Houssenloge, hooker Cooper Elliott and No.8 Lachlan Thomas.
Warnervale was best served by centre Keegan Quakawoot, No.8 Tevita Piukala and flanker Kye Haslam.
While Avoca Beach meets Terrigal in the 2024 decider, Warnervale finishes up for the year.
Premier 2 saw another nail-biting encounter, with Avoca Beach defeating Warnervale 36-31.
Avoca Beach got away to a great start and led 14-0 early on, and then by 21-5 later in the first half.
Warnervale scored a second try before half-time, with Avoca Beach going into the break leading by 21-12.
Warnervale fought back and eventually took the lead midway through the second half by 31-24 but Avoca Beach stormed home and two late tries saw them take the lead and the match.
Avoca Beach meets Terrigal in the August 24 grand final.
The President’s Cup preliminary final saw Terrigal defeat Kariong by 27-12.
Terrigal got away to a great start with two converted tries in the opening stanza and led by 17-0 at the half-time break.
Kariong did outscore Terrigal 12-10 in the second half but all the damage had been done in the first half.
Terrigal moves into the grand final in an attempt to win the President’s Cup Premiership against The Lakes on August 24.
The Women’s 12s preliminary final saw Lake Macquarie defeat Terrigal 43-24 in a hard fought and intense match from start to finish.
There was much movement back and forwards but Lake Macquarie was able to cross for seven tries to Terrigal’s four.
Lake Macquarie moves into the grand final on August 25 to meet Avoca Beach in a repeat of the major semi-final.
Grand final action at Industree Group Stadium on August 24 kicks off at 12.30pm with The Lakes and Terrigal clashing in the President’s Cup.
Avoca Beach meets Lake Macquarie in the Women’s 12s at 2.10 pm. With Terrigal and Avoca Beach kicking off in Premier 2 at 3.30pm.
Premier 1 sees Terrigal and Avoca Beach square off at 5pm.