Illawarra clubs remain firmly in the hunt for premiership honours following a strong showing across the Southern Corridor semi-finals, with local teams progressing in all four competitions. Corrimal has already secured a place in the Open Women’s Grand Final and will face the winner of this week’s preliminary final between Collegians and Helensburgh. The Cougars are chasing a third consecutive championship. Meanwhile, Thirroul and Corrimal sides are set to compete in the U18s preliminary finals this weekend as the race for the title heats up.
Harrison Mellare reports.
Open Women: Illawarra Guaranteed Premiership
An Illawarra club is guaranteed to be crowned Southern Corridor Open Women’s premiers after Corrimal, Collegians and Helensburgh filled three of the four semi-final positions.
Corrimal became the first local team to book a Grand Final berth following an impressive 24-0 victory over Collegians at Ziems Park.
Helensburgh were equally dominant in their elimination semi-final, shutting out Taren Point 32-0 at Rex Jackson Oval to keep their season alive.
That sets up an all-Illawarra preliminary final between Collegians and Helensburgh at Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday 22 August at 10.00am.
The winner will advance to face Corrimal in the Grand Final on Saturday 29 August, ensuring the Southern Corridor Open Women’s premiership trophy will be heading to the Illawarra.
Wheels Up: Corrimal winger Siarn Rowcliff scores her second try in last week’s Semi-Final win over Collegians
U18s Girls: Corrimal Earns Second Chance
Corrimal remains in the hunt for the U18s Girls premiership despite going down 30-22 to the Stingrays in a high-scoring semi-final at Noel Mulligan Oval.
The result sends the Stingrays directly through to the Grand Final, while the Cougars have another opportunity to join them when they face Como Jannali in this weekend’s preliminary final.
Como Jannali ended Collegians’ campaign with a 24-2 victory at Scylla Bay Oval.
Corrimal will now host Como Jannali at Ziems Park on Saturday 22 August at 10.40am, with victory setting up a Grand Final rematch with the Stingrays.
With Corrimal already through to the Open Women’s decider and Illawarra teams featuring prominently across the preliminary finals, local clubs remain well positioned to bring home multiple Southern Corridor premierships when the Grand Finals are played on 29 and 30 August.
U18s Premiership: Butchers Survive Thriller
Thirroul kept their U18s Premiership campaign alive with a thrilling 16-14 victory over fellow Illawarra side Wests at Thomas Gibson Park.
In a tightly contested elimination semi-final, both teams crossed for three tries, with the boot of Tayler Humphries ultimately proving the difference. Humphries landed two goals to the Devils’ one to send the Butchers through to the preliminary final and bring the Devils’ season to an end.
Thirroul will now face De La Salle, who went down 8-4 to St Josephs in the major semi-final.
The Butchers meet De La Salle at Forshaw Oval, Sylvania Waters, on Saturday 22 August at 9.00am, with the winner advancing to face St Josephs in the Grand Final on Saturday 29 August.
U18s Gold: Thirroul Ready for Finals Challenge
Thirroul carries Illawarra’s hopes in the U18s Gold competition as the only local team to qualify for the finals.
The minor premiers advanced through the opening weekend and will now face Aquinas Colts, who booked their place with a 26-6 victory over Arncliffe Scots in their Elimination Final at Cahill Park.
In the other semi-final, Engadine Dragons will meet Penshurst after the Dragons recorded a convincing 40-4 win over De La Salle.
The winners will progress to the U18s Gold Grand Final on Sunday 30 August.
Image Credit: Collegians Facebook