Group 20
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Waratahs...................................34
TLU............................................10
WARATAHS are through to the Group 20 season decider after turning on the razzle dazzle at Exies Oval yesterday to beat defending champion Tullibigeal-Lakes United 34-10.
The Tigers were at their attacking best for most of the preliminary final as they ran in eight tries to two to avenge their loss to the Sharks in the first week of the play-offs.
The result means they will face minor premier West Wyalong in Sunday's grand final at EW Moore Oval.
Given the personnel problems Waratahs faced at the beginning of the season, Tigers secretary Mark Jaffrey said it was a major achievement for the club to make it this far.
"We were really struggling at the start of the year," Jaffrey said.
"We didn't think we'd get a side together at one stage.
"But once we signed (player-coach) Kose Lelei and got him back, it all sort of fell into place.
"He knew a couple of mates and they knew a couple of mates as well.
"We were pretty fortunate to end up with the side that we did."
Jaffrey expects there to be plenty of excitement buzzing around the Tigers' training sessions this week.
"They were pretty upbeat last week and were talking about the game against Lakes a lot," he said.
"But I expect them to be even more excited this week."
The Tigers gave the crowd plenty of thrills yesterday after getting off to a dream start thanks to Johnny Teleaga.
The star fullback showed his class to beat a one-on-one tackle close to the line before crossing after only five minutes.
There was more joy for the home team soon after when winger Sosaia Finefeuaki finished off a passing move that covered the breadth of the field.
The Sharks' right-hand defence was having trouble containing the Tigers, who looked like they might go in again when halfback Luke Farmer sliced through.
But TLU scrambled to deny Waratahs a third try and then set about grinding their way back into the contest.
After having a couple of cracks at their opponents' goal line, Sharks eventually found a way over through hooker Sam McAuley.
Fullback Jaden Kelly converted from in front to make it 8-6 before TLU was denied a second try because of a forward pass.
Despite having captain-coach Brent Pike sin-binned for back chat, the Sharks looked to be on top, but a couple of penalties near the end of the half piggybacked the Tigers up the field.
Waratahs made the most of the opportunity, with bustling prop Michael Loapo crashing over just before the siren to give his team a 14-6 lead.
The second half started much like the first as the Tigers dominated field position and possession.
Centre Graham Levu scored for Waratahs soon after the restart to make it 18-6 before Fili Fili's try in the left corner boosted the margin to 16 points.
When Tigers second-rower Moahoni Lelei crossed after a 20-20 from Farmer, the game looked over.
But the Sharks kept plugging away and were rewarded for their endeavour with a try to winger Jarrod Cahill.
Down 16 points with 17 minutes remaining, the Sharks were still alive before the Tigers ended their title hopes with a spectacular length-of-the-field effort from Teleaga.
Waratahs five-eighth David Rauluni then put an exclamation point on his side's performance with a late solo try from a scrum win.