Tight finish in rugby minor semi

Warnervale emerged victorious in the Premier 1 Central Coast rugby minor semi final held at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday, August 9.

They defeated Lake Macquarie 21-19 in a game which was finals rugby at its best.

The contest ebbed and flowed, with big moments, strong carries, and plenty of tension right until the final whistle.

Warnervale edged past Lake Macquarie with a stunning try out wide just two minutes from full time.

The opening stages were tight, with both sides looking to assert dominance in the wet conditions.

The Roos’ pack, led by the ever-impressive Rameo Bainivalu, carried strongly and defended with intent, keeping Warnervale pinned for long periods.

Bainivalu’s work rate, supported by his fellow loose forwards, continually put Lake Macquarie on the front foot.

Points were at a premium early, with both teams only finding the scoreboard late in the first half.

Each time one side built momentum, the other found a way to wrestle it back, whether through a big defensive set, a clever territorial kick, or quick hands to shift the ball wide.

The match became a true arm wrestle, but one played at pace, with multiple passages of free-flowing rugby despite the greasy surface.

The second half was no less dramatic.

Lake Macquarie looked to have the upper hand after some well-constructed phases, but Warnervale refused to go away.

Their leaders stood tall, steering the side around the park and keeping the pressure on the Roos.

In the dying minutes, with the game in the balance, Warnervale produced a sweeping attacking movement that stretched the defence before finishing in the corner sealing a dramatic two-point win.

Both teams can be proud of a performance that showcased skill, heart, and the spirit of the competition.

For Warnervale, the result means a ticket to the next stage; for Lake Macquarie, it was a brave and passionate display to finish the season.

In the Women’s Premier 1 minor semi, Lake Macquarie scored a convincing 45-7 win over Warnervale.

In tough, wet conditions, the teams went toe-to-toe in a tight first half, heading into the break locked at 7–7.

Both sides were committed in defence and willing to take the game to the line, with neither giving an inch in the opening 25 minutes.

The second half, however, belonged entirely to the Roos.

The blistering pace and slick finishing of Alicia Weir turned the match on its head.

Anything that went wide spelled trouble for Warnervale, as Weir bagged a scintillating hat-trick.

Claudia Richardson added a classy double, stretching the Warnervale defence and creating space for her teammates to capitalise.

Despite their best efforts, Warnervale began to tire under the relentless pressure, and Lake Macquarie’s backline flair proved decisive, surging away to a 45–7 victory and advancing further into the finals series.

Central Coast Rugby Union