Collegians finished off the regular season of the Harrigan Cup in style with a convincing 24-12 victory over Thirroul at Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been a stellar season so far for head coach Jimmy Grehan, who steered his side to the minor premiership, losing just two games in his first season at the helm.
The 12-point win also ended Thirroul’s season, as Corrimal scored a 40-12 victory over De La Salle, securing their first finals appearance since 2009.
Wests defeated Dapto 14-4 in an enthralling dress rehearsal for Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
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Collegians sign off regular season in style
The home side started with a blistering opening, as fullback Callum Gromek crossed twice inside the first five minutes to stun the Butchers’ defence.
Winger Cooper Morrison added to the tally in the 17th minute, before halfback Blair Grant extended the lead with a try of his own on the half-hour mark.
Grant converted three of four tries to give Collegians a commanding 22–0 lead at the break.
Thirroul regrouped in the second half, with five-eighth Aaymon Fitzgibbon sparking an early fightback.
He crossed in the 42nd minute and converted his own try, before fullback Dane Courtney added another a few minutes later, pouncing on a Fitzgibbon kick just short of the dead-ball line, to close the gap to 22–12.
Grant sealed the result with a penalty goal in the 75th minute, ensuring Collegians held off the late surge.
[Watch] Collegians halfback Blair Grant backs up for his team’s fourth unanswered try in the first half.
Cougars clinch long-awaited spot in Finals
Corrimal Cougars powered to a dominant 40–12 win over De La Salle in their Harrigan Cup clash at Captain Cook Oval, running in seven tries to two.
The Cougars struck early with winger Joe Duggan crossing in the 10th minute, before fullback Logen Dillon and centre Brandon Morkos added back-to-back tries to extend the lead. Morkos running the length after picking up a loose ball on his own try-line.
Duggan grabbed his second just before the half-hour mark, giving Corrimal a commanding 22-0 advantage heading into the break.
De La Salle showed signs of fightback upon resumption with Joshua Latham breaking through for their first try in the 42nd minute, converted by Christian Rahme.
However, the Cougars responded swiftly with hooker Brody Rigg scoring back-to-back tries, first with good support play, then, all on his own scooting over from dummy half.
Dillon’s second try in the 68th minute sealed the result, with captain and halfback Kamren Cryer controlling the game and nailing six conversions from seven attempts.
De La Salle’s Xavier Ndaira scored a late consolation try, with Nathan Fletcher adding the extras, but the Cougars had already put the game well beyond reach.
[Watch] Cougars prop Pene Misinale gets an offload away for Logen Dillon’s second try of the afternoon.
Wests Prevail Over Determined Dapto Outfit
Western Suburbs Devils claimed a gritty 14–4 win over the Dapto Canaries at Dapto Showground, with a dominant first half proving the difference.
The Devils struck early through winger Lachlan Hurst off a Dane Chisholm kick in the 8th minute before Dapto levelled the score at 4-all five minutes later with halfback Troy Pieper darting over from close range.
Wests centre Ezekiel Kennedy recaptured the lead for the defending premiers, crashing over out wide midway through the half. Chisholm added the extras for a 10-4 lead.
Hurst then bagged his second just before the break thanks to a line bust from lock Dyan Palmer-Quigg to give Wests a 14–4 advantage heading into halftime.
Dapto were unable to capitalise on several second-half opportunities, with Jason Gillard missing a chance in the 66th minute and fullback Keiran Moss on the opposite side in the dying moments. Both were denied by a stout Devils defence.
[Watch] Wests Dylan Palmer-Quigg busts the line before offloading to Lachlan Hurst to score.
Words | Angelina Raula
Week 1
Saturday, 23 August
Qualification Final 2nd v 3rd
- Wests (H) v Dapto – Sid Parrish Park
Elimination Final 4th v 5th
- De La Salle (H) v Corrimal – Venue TBA
Byes: Collegians (Cup)