Group 20 rugby league
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TLU will face arch-rivals West Wyalong in next weekend’s reserve grade grand final after beating Yenda 30-18 in yesterday’s prelim.
There wasn’t much to split the two sides at half-time, with the scores at 14-12, but the Sharks put together back-to-back tries early in the second half, leaving Yenda too far behind to challenge.
Blueheelers secretary Sam Panarello said his side played well but they came up against an opposition committed to playing in the grand final – and it showed.
“They played over the top of us – our blokes didn’t stop trying but we turned over too many balls,” Panarello said.
“Lakes at home is a hard task on its own, let alone playing them in a prelim semi to get into a grand final.”
The Blueheelers were forced to omit Lance Poka (knee) and Todd Granger (flu), two key players who helped drive the side to within one game of the grand final.
“Unfortunately we were forced to make a few late changes but take nothing away from Lakes, they were the better side,” Panarello said.
Asked who he thought would take home the reserves silverware at EW Moore Oval yesterday, Panarello favoured West Wyalong by a fraction.
“It will go to the wire, that’s for sure,” he said.
“West Wyalong had the week off and they have a few first graders coming back, but Lakes will give them a run for their money.”