The Blueheelers will be looking to use the second chance afforded to them after their top two finish well after falling in a tight tussle with minor premiers Junee Diesels in the under 16s qualifying final.
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The rain started to fall just as the players ran out onto the field, meaning the practice the Yenda side had gained in recent weeks would be useful once again.
The Diesels wasted no time in getting down the other end of the field as from the kick-off they were able to break through and get into a dangerous position and if not for a try-saving tackle from Eddie Tiaina which took Junee's Jack McCarthy into touch.
From the scrum, the Yenda side was able to move the ball through their hands and completed their sets early in the half and was finally able to get themselves into a point-scoring position.
The Blueheelers found themselves 10 metres out, and on the 4th tackle, Omega Liu put Jack Neyland through a hole and seeing him score next to the post and with the successful conversion to see the Yenda side leading 6-0.
As the rain continued to fall the game became an arm wrestle with both sides making mistakes before McCarthy was able to get over the line untouched for Junee to see the scores locked at 6-6 heading into the break.
The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the game pick up where it left off with a physical tussle between the forward packs with neither side able to make any ground, but Jyden Harris was able to make the most of some field position to slot a field goal to give his side a one-point advantage.
Yenda dominated the next 10 minutes, and a late shot on Harris gave the Blueheelers decent field position, and after shaking off the hit, Harris popped up to provide a pinpoint kick for Oliver Bartter who crashed over to extend their lead to 11-6.
Errors from the Blueheelers let the Diesels back into the game with 16 minutes to go, and the Junee side was able to score the next three tries to take 22-11 lead heading into the final five minutes.
Yenda quickly kicked off and were able to force an error from the Diesels in the pursuit of quick points as hard-hitting defence saw the ball dislodged. Judd Stevenson was able to get over the line with three minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Blueheelers would get with the Diesels advancing to the grand final with a 22-15 win.
The Blueheelers will take on Gundagai on Sunday at Anzac Park in the preliminary final for another shot at the Diesels.
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
