Riverina is one win away from taking out back-to-back Tier 2 Country Championships.
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The representative team made its way into the decider with a 22-8 win over Northern Rivers at Apex Park on Saturday.
After dominating the first half, Riverina set up an advantage that was too large for their rivals in wet conditions at Dubbo.
Jack Lyons opened the deadlock after 15 minutes when pounced on a slipped Kyle McCarthy kick close to the try line.
Riverina quickly extended their lead two minutes later when off the back off a penalty, James Luff proved too strong from dummy half and slammed the ball over.
Heading into the break with a 14-0 lead following a try from Robbie Byatt with four left remaining, Riverina withstood a short comeback before rounding out the win.
After Jon Huggett dropped the ball with the line wide open, Northern Rivers worked their way down the length of the field to score.
However, any hopes of an upset where ended as winger Daniel Foley glided down the right edge to score from halfway.
Coach Josh Cale said the impressive effort from the speedster was the play that decided the game.
“I thought we set the game up the in the first half,” Cale said. “We were a little bit sloppy in the second half, our luck could have been a bit better but I’m happy to get the win in the end.
“I thought we defended really well.
“There was a few things I wanted to work on, shifting it early coming off our line as they compressed up.
“I thought the Daniel Foley try was really good, they responded to that, and that probably broke the camel’s back for us.”
Riverina look likely to be without lock Dave Cowhan for the final after the Albury forward injured his knee in the first half.
It is unsure how long he will miss with a patella issue.
Cale is hoping not to pick up any more injuries before the final.
Despite getting back to winnings ways, Cale is searching for improvement ahead of the final.
The two teams played off in last year’s semi-final and despite Riverina getting the better of them on that occasion, Cale believes the Stars have improved this year.
“They look like they are a bit different, they look pretty strong so they will be hard to handle,” he said.
“It will be a good contest for us.”
The final will be played in Wollongong at 12 noon on Saturday.
Perennial powerhouses Illawarra and Newcastle will then fight it out for the Tier 1 crown.
FULL-TIME
RIVERINA 22 (J Lyons, B Jeffery, R Byatt, D Foley tries; B Jeffery 3 goals) d NORTHERN RIVERS 8 (C King, G Lanston tries)
