For the first time since 2016, the Yenda Blueheelers will not feature in an under 16s grand final following a 16-10 defeat in their Group Nine preliminary final clash with Gundagai on Sunday.
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It looked like the Blueheelers would strike first as a kick from Jyden Harris was gathered by Oliver Bartter however the young forward lost the ball just before getting over the line.
They didn't have to wait long to hit the scoreboard with Bodean Tereva using his strength to punch a hole in the Tigers defence and open the scoring with four minutes gone.
The Blueheelers looked like the would be able to pile on more points early in the game as fierce pressure with their rushing defence forcing an error however while looking to use their numbers out wide the lost the ball trying to force a pass.
The pressure from the Yenda side continued to pile up with the Tigers struggling to get out of their own 20 however against the run of play Gundagai's Cooper Emonson was able to run 90 metres to score under the post and with the successful conversion the scores were level at 6-all after 12 minutes.
The Tigers extended their lead shortly after with Caleb Piper getting over after spotting a gap in the Yenda defence.
The Blueheelers had chances to hit back but struggled to maintain possession in the slippery conditions as the Tigers took a 10-6 lead into the halftime break.
Yenda came out at the start of the second half and made an immediate impact with a try in the corner just three minutes after the break seeing the side level after the tough conversion was missed by Judd Stevenson saw the scores locked at 10-all.
The Tigers were able to retake the lead just four minutes later with Piper able to get his second of the game after running almost the length of the field, and despite the best efforts of Yenda's hooker who tried to stop his advances he was able to score and give the Gundagai side a 16-10 lead.
The Blueheelers had a late chance to get over the line but lost possession, and while they tried to put on a late resurgence, they were unable to make the breakthrough required as the Tigers held on to advance to the under 16s decider.
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