Scarlett Box
Thirroul Butchers have scored a thrilling 18-16 win over Western Suburbs Devils in the Minor Semi-final of the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup at Collegians Stadium today.
Thirroul will now move through to the Preliminary Final of the competition next weekend while Western Suburbs season has now come to an end.
The Butchers got off to a perfect start after Tarje Whitford scored and backed that up when Steve Marsters made a swift catch and pass for Josh Martin to touch down.
Western Suburbs stayed in touch through Jy Hitchcox but the Butchers maintained some breathing space when Jye Patterson scored.
Hitchcox grabbed his second try to keep the Devils in touch and have them trailing 14-10 heading into the half-time break.
With the season on the line for both teams, the second half was even more intense with Whitford grabbing his second try to give the Butchers some breathing space.
The Devils set up a grandstand finish when Hitchcox grabbed his third try for the afternoon after beating some tired forwards. Coby Pellow landed the conversion to leave them two points down with two minutes on the clock.
It set up a frantic finish which brought the crowd alive at Collegians Stadium but the Butchers defence held firm to secure their spot in the second week of the finals.
