The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs will continue their finals campaign in three grades, while the Hot Doggies fell out of contention over the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first grade Bulldogs claimed a single-point victory in extra time to extinguish the Bega Roosters’ hopes 13-12 in extra time in the elimination final at the Dogpound on Saturday.
Bega quick Zac Cuzner opened the scoring off a quick burst, but the Bulldogs were quick to reply with prop Grant Moon making a 60-metre dash to score.
Before the break, Cuzner flanked to the other side of the field and punished the Bulldogs again, with a darting try on the left edge.
After Zak Mikula scored early in the second half, the Roosters trailed 12-10, but James Bower-Scott made no mistake when the Bega side opted for a shot on goals from about 30 out after a penalty.
Despite increasingly desperate attacking raids, neither team could find the try-line late in the piece and play went to extra time.
In the opening five minutes, Bega tried a shot for the field goal, but missed from range.
It was only in the second five-minute period the Bulldogs were able to spend their tackles for good field position with Corey Schafer slotting the single point kick. .
Earlier, the reserve grade Bull Ants had edged out the Moruya Sharks in a closely fought thriller 18-16.
The two teams traded tries after a majority of play fluctuated through the middle, while a number of changeovers from knock-ons or cheeky intercepts also kept danger plays short of the try line.
After respective tries to Todd Bolton from a breakaway dash and Ian Smith put the Bull Ants ahead 8-0, the Sharks took charge in the first half to lead 16-8 at the break.
It was Smithy’s second in the right corner late in the second half that sealed a two-point lead.
The under 18 Bulldogs advance straight to the grand final after downing the Bay Tigers 24-8 at Cooma on Sunday.
The Tigers fired off the blocks, but the Bulldogs quickly found their composure and some strong edge runs from Mathew Moon and Kyle Shepherdson helped establish a good lead before the break.
Jack McGuire had some strong carries in the second half to set his backs loose and seal a comfortable win.
In league-tag, the Hot Doggies season has ended, going down to the Bega Chicks 22-14 where Taelar Williams starred for the Bega squad, claiming a hat-trick of tries and helping set up a 16-0 lead at the break.
The Hot Doggies replied quickly in the second half through their own number six Tamika Millard, who scored two tries, but Madison Parbery claimed a late try to seal the win for Bega.