The Wentworthville Magpies pulled off an upset win, securing their place in the 2023 Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup Grand Final after a nail-biting 18-12 win over Minor Premiers St Marys today.
Despite heading into the Major Semi-final undefeated in the regular season, the Saints will now steer their focus to a do-or-die game next week against Glebe Dirty Reds. The winner will advance to the Grand Final at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah on Sunday 3 September.
Glebe defeated Ryde-Eastwood 28-10 in the Minor Semi-Final at St Marys Leagues Stadium today, which means the Hawks now bow out for the 2023 season.
Major Semi-Final: (3rd) Wentworthville Magpies 18 def (1st) St Marys Saints
Picking up where they left off last week, the Magpies continued their impressive finals form to defeat favourites St Marys, who had won their past 16 games straight.
St Marys were the first to open the scoring through halfback Zac Greene giving his team a six-point lead after 15 minutes.
Two quick tries to winger Josh Delailoa and forward Keaton Walkington-Meads saw the Magpies jump ahead 10-6 at half time.
St Marys forward Atonio Tauilili Pelesasa was placed on report and sent to the sin bin in the 38thminute for a dangerous tackle.
Wentworthville took advantage while the Saints were a player down with centre Christopher Tupou finding space in the defensive line to score in the 49th minute.
Liam O’Brien successfully kicked a penalty goal in the 56th miniute to extend the Magpies lead out to 12 points. However, a momentum shift in the last 20 minutes had St Marys on the comeback.
A try to centre David Faule in the 61st minute saw the Saints trail by a converted try however resilient defence from the Magpies saw the Saints struggle to find the line despite their best efforts.
Off the back of two successful weeks, the Magpies will now have the week off to prepare for the Grand Final in two weeks’ time.
“It’s great to get the win,” says Magpies coach Brett Cook.
“St Marys are a great attacking side, it’s a credit to our guys for hanging in there and coming away with the win.
“It was a great team performance.”
RESULT: Wentworthville Magpies 18 (Josh Delailoa, Keaton Walkington-Meads, Christopher Tupou tries; Liam O’Brien 3 goals) def. St Marys Saints 12 (Zac Greene, David Faule tries; Zac Greene 2 goals).
Minor Semi-Final: (2nd) Glebe Dirty Reds 28 def (4th) Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 10
Glebe bounced back from a disappointing loss against Wentworthville last week, scoring early in the first half against the Hawks with centre Michael Pearsall setting up his winger Jonathan Tufuga in just the fifth minute.
The Dirty Reds wasted no time to add more points, with prop Callum Ellis burrowing his way to the line next to the posts. Halfback Devon Makoare-Broyce successfully converted to extend the lead out to 10-0.
With the Hawks having to defend for the first 25 minutes, momentum began to shift into their favour when Glebe winger Adam Batty was sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle.
With a player down, Hawks prop Adam Perry crashed over right next to the posts to open the scoring for his team. Winger Zac Mackay converted Perry’s try to reduce the margin to four points.
The Hawks were still in the fight midway through the second half to find themselves only a converted try behind the Dirty Reds (16-10).
However, Glebe proved to be too good scoring two late tries through halfback Devon Makoar and centre Bilal Maarbani to seal the win 28-10 and keep their season alive.
Glebe will anxiously be awaiting the fate of three players who were placed on report.
The Dirty Reds now advance to the Preliminary Final next Saturday, where they will face St Marys for a spot in the Grand Final against the Wentworthville Magpies.
RESULT: Glebe Dirty Reds 28 (Johnathan Tufuga 2, Callum Ellis, Devon Makoare-Broyce, Bilal Maarbani tries; Daniel Arahu 1,Devon Makoare-Broyce 3 goals) def Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 10 (Adam Perry, Zachery Mackay tries; Zachery Mackay 1 goal)
