The SLE Laurie Daley Cup will have a new club name engraved on it in 2024 after the Monaro Colts and Northern Rivers Tigers won through to the Grand Final next Sunday (24 March) at Cessnock.
Neither club has won the title since the Under 18s Regional Reps competition began in 2018.
For the Colts in Saturday’s first semi-final it was sweet revenge beating the Central Coast as they had lost 14-0 to the Roosters in Round One – their only loss this year.
But Monaro may not be at full-strength for the Grand Final with two players placed on report for dangerous tackles – prop Jesse Milin and halfback Jonah Anderson.
Northern Tigers find themselves in a similar position with second rower Braydon Allan placed on report in their win over Macarthur Wests Tigers in the second Semi-final.
Monaro Colts 26 def Central Coast Roosters 18
Four tries in the opening half sealed the deal for the Colts at Woy Woy Oval, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
The lead changed three times in the opening 35 minutes before Monaro galloped away towards the halftime siren scoring two tries in five minutes for a handsome 20-6 lead at the break.
Central Coast centre Zahn McKay scored his sixth try of the season gathering a pass off his five-eighth Chaice Bayley in the 12th minute to open his side’s scoring.
The Roosters also led the penalty count 5-2 overall but it was Monaro’s ability to capitalise on Central Coast’s mistakes that proved the difference.
Two of the Colts first four tries – a Roosters dropped ball from a high kick and then a penalty to Monaro – led to tries to fullback James Croker, who is the brother of Manly NRL hooker Lachlan Croker, and utility Yuri Hromow.
In the second half, the score ballooned out to 26-6 off the sublime right-foot step of Colts halfback Jonah Anderson.
The Roosters fightback – two superb tries to winger Samisoni Talakai in the 55th and Bailey in the final minute (70th) – came too little, too late.
Northern Tigers 28 def Macarthur Wests Tigers 16
The second Semi-final was a see-sawing affair with Macarthur scoring three unanswered tries to five-eighth Jayden Innes, prop Lucas Rossi and lock Henare Reti in the opening 35 minutes.
That put them ahead 16-0 at the break, after two conversions by fullback Riley Oitmann, and looking in the box seat for next week’s final.
The Macarthur forwards were relentless in their go-forward while havles Dion Williams and Jayden Lewis were doing a good job of better field position and greater possession.
But then Northern Tigers emerged from the Pirtek Park dressing sheds at Singleton and laid on five unanswered tries – doubles to second rower Dylan Keane and captain Jordan Hamlin at halfback. The fifth was scored by his halves partner, No.6 Jackson Smith.
Keane provided the backbone of Northern’s come-from-behind win with a personal tally of 16 points – his two tries and four conversions.
To add salt into Macarthur’s wounds, they had two players placed on report – winger Saint Fuatimau for a dangerous tackle and backrower Byronn Laupepa for a late tackle.
