All the best action from the Semi-Finals of the NSWRL’s Regional Representative competitions.
Bulldogs keep chances of undefeated season alive
North Coast Bulldogs have defeated Macarthur Wests Tigers 34-16 to book their spot in the SLE Laurie Daley Cup Grand Final on Sunday 3 April.
Bulldogs skipper Josh Clark got his side on the board early and the Tigers were unable to stop the flow of points after Jack Margetts and Finnian Walsh both scored tries to extend the lead to 14-0 after 20 minutes.
After Margetts crashed over for his second try and Shane Davis-Caldwell converted, the Bulldogs went into half-time with a 20-0 lead.
The Bulldogs ran in two more tries when play resumed to Joshua Power and Hudson Harmer to put the beyond reach for the Tigers. Despite being down by 32 points, the Tigers showed plenty of fight, finally scoring after 57 minutes through Faaletino Tavana.
The Tigers scored two more tries through Lincoln Miners and Kaisara Tuimauga but it was too little, too late as the Bulldogs kicked a penalty goal on fulltime to give themselves a shot at premiership glory.
Dragons edge out Roosters
Illawarra South Coast Dragons have defeated last year’s premiers Central Coast Roosters 18-12 in the SLE Laurie Daley Cup Semi-final to set up a showdown with the Bulldogs in the decider.
The Dragons got off to a fast start after fullback Wesley Pring crashed over just five minutes. Taj Ford converted to put the Dragons up 6-0.
The Roosters hit back when Noah Goodman scored his first of the afternoon and Oliver Juras brought levelled the scores following a successful conversion.
Tries to Dragons interchange Jaxon Lavender and a second to Goodman had both sides level at 12-all heading into the sheds at half-time and it was anyone’s game.
The second half was a defensive minded affair, with the only try going to Pring, who bagged a double. After Ford converted in the 47th minute, the Dragons led 18-12 to secure their place in the Grand Final.
Titans hold off surging Dragons
Northern Rivers Titans have defeated Illawarra South Coast Dragons 20-16 to book a spot in the SLE Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final in Woy Woy on Sunday.
The Titans scored in quick succession through fullback Harry Chadburn and winger Black Togo-Murphy, putting them up 8-0 after just eight minutes. The game looked to be slipping away from the Dragons when Zane Harrison crashed over and Callum Bowles converted to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Dragons needed something special and winger Harry Wililo answered the call after running in three consecutive tries to lock things up at 16-all.
With time running out, Chadburn crashed over for his second try of the afternoon to ensure a Titans win.
Macarthur Wests Tigers to feature in big dance
Macarthur Wests Tigers have defeated Northern Tigers 22-16 in the SLE Andrew Johns Cup Semi-final to book their spot against the Titans in the decider.
Macarthur Wests Tigers ran in three unanswered tries through Kimball Liufau, Aaron Keppie and Byron Laupepa, with Noah McKenzie landing two conversions to set up a 16-0 lead.
Momentum swung in Macarthur Tigers favour after back-to-back tries from Dylan Keane and Luke Marco to put them within striking distance.
With the Northern Tigers closing in at 16-12, Amazon-Paul Pua’Avase crashed over, and McKenzie converted, giving his side some breathing space at 22-12.
Northern Tigers gave themselves a chance after Samuel Carr scored but they were unable to crack the defence in the final five minutes to send Macarthur Wests Tigers into the Grand Final.
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