It was the closest-ever race for the minor premiership, going right down to the wire as Mounties claimed the minor premiership by a single point in the for-and-against column over the second-placed Wyong Roos.
In the earlier match, Wyong were too classy for a gutsy Wentworthville side. It was a low-scoring tight affair until the 60th minute, with both sides level with 12-points each, before the Roos blew the Magpies away for the 44-12 win. The result left Mounties needing to beat the Warriors by 25 points to claim the minor premiership.
Mounties claimed the minor premiership with a 26-point victory over the Warriors in a dominant display. Mounties were relentless in attack to triumph 36-10. The two sides meet again in week one of the finals, with the Warriors racing to the drawing board for a quick answer for their anticipated showdown.
Penrith also enter the finals with confidence in third spot after their hard-earned 34-28 win over the Illawarra Cutters. The Cutters led 24-12 at half time and 28-22 with seven minutes remaining before two late tries gave Penrith victory. Ray Leosa had a debut to remember scoring three tries and set up another for the Panthers to set up a thrilling major final against Wyong next week.
The Bulldogs bounced back to lock down fifth position with a confidence-boosting 36-20 win over the Wests Tigers. The Bulldogs winger was the hat-trick hero for his side who will take on the North Sydney Bears in an explosive elimination final.
The Newtown Jets ended their season on a high by retaining the Frank Hyde Shield with a 30-22 victory over North Sydney at a packed Henson Park. It’s a sour loss for the Bears who were hoping to rediscover their recent red-hot form before the finals, but are now searching for answers after two straight losses.
The Manly Sea Eagles solidified their place in the finals by defeating a gallant Newcastle Knights 38-24. David Williams scored a hat-trick of tries while Chanel Mata'uita and Kerrod Holland bagged themselves a double each. Newcastle and Manly will meet again next week in the other scintillating elimination final.
It’s the most wide-open finals race in VB NSW Cup history and you cannot miss this riveting finish to the season.
