Avoca Beach outlasted the Razorbacks to take a 22-15 win in the Central Coast rugby union Premier 1 minor semi-final at Woy Woy Oval on August 3.
It was a hard fought contest from start to finish and the match was only decided on full-time.
Avoca Beach opened the scoring in the 13th minute when winger Michael Houssenloge charged down a Razorbacks clearing kick to regather and score.
The Razorbacks controlled much of the territory in the opening 20 minutes but failed to score on several occasions either through dropped ball or wrong options.
They were finally rewarded in the 23rd minute when they crossed for a try to reduce the Avoca Beach lead to 7-5 going into half-time.
Missed opportunities for both teams was a feature of the first half.
Avoca Beach increased their lead early in the second half, kicking a penalty goal, quickly followed by a second try to take the score to 15-5.
The Razorbacks scored at the 26 minute mark to reduce Avoca’s lead to 15-10 and the tension began to build on field and on the sidelines.
There was plenty of action in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Avoca Beach scored a converted try in the 35th minute to go to a handy lead of 22-10 and the Razorbacks crossed for their third try to make the score 22-15 with only minutes left.
Avoca Beach was able to hang on to win the match.
Best players for Avoca Beach were lock Matt Anderson, halfback Charlie Crimmings and No.8 Lachlan Thomas.
Best for the Razorbacks were flanker Matt Martin, No.8 Rob Peden and halfback Connor Peden.
Avoca Beach continues on in the finals series and will play in the preliminary final in two weeks’ time.
The season ends for the Razorbacks in what has been a pleasing year for them.
The Premier 2 minor semi-final saw Avoca Beach dominate the match right from the opening whistle.
Avoca Beach defeated the Razorbacks 33-15.
The match was won in the first half, with Avoca crossing for four tries and going into the half-time break with a 25-3 lead.
The Razorbacks played much better in the second stanza and actually outscored Avoca Beach in that half by 12-8 but it was all too late.
Best performers for Avoca Beach were five-eight Harry Mellross, who crossed for two tries, and fullback Harrison McGarry.
The Razorbacks were best served by Ashton Hutchinson-Walters who posted 10 of their points.
Avoca Beach will play in the preliminary final in two weeks’ time, while the season ends for the Razorbacks.
Kariong took out the President’s Cup minor semi-final, defeating Warnervale by the narrow margin of 21-20.
This was a President’s Cup match of high standard from start to finish with neither team deserving to lose.
Warnervale opened the scoring with an early try and went to the half-time break leading 12-7.
It was a gripping contest throughout, and at the midway point of the second half the score was Warnervale 15, Kariong 14.
Warnervale then went further ahead with another try to lead by 20-14 but a late converted try saw Kariong snatch the lead and the match.
Best players for Kariong were prop Graham Porter and hooker Logan Campbell, while Warnervale’s best players were five-eight Matt Hurley and halfback Alby McCausland.
The win sees Kariong continue on while the season ends for Warnervale.
The Women’s 12s minor semi-final saw Terrigal defeat The Lakes 29-5.
Terrigal was always in control on the scoreboard but The Lakes gave it their all and had their chances but the speed of the Terrigal outside backs was the difference.
Terrigal led 12-0 at the half-time break and then went on to post a further 17 points in the second half.
It is the end of the season for The Lakes while Terrigal will continue and play in the preliminary final in two weeks’ time.
Major semi-finals will be played on Saturday, August 10 at Woy Woy Oval.
The day kicks off at 11am with The Lakes taking on Terrigal in the President’s Cup.
At 12.25pm Lake Macquarie and Avoca Beach play in the Women’s 12s.
The 1.35pm Premier 2 match will see Terrigal take on Warnervale and the Premier 1 clash at 3.15pm will see Terrigal and Warnervale battle it out.