Bryson Luff
The opening game of the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Semi-finals this weekend was the reserve grade Minor Semi-final played at Coonabarabran on Saturday between Binnaway Bombshells and Coonamble Bears.
The match went into extra time after the Bears scored a try with just nine seconds remaining to lock the scores up before the Bombies prevailed in a thriller 28-26.
The League Tag game followed with Baradine Magpies shooting out to a 10-0 lead over Narromine Jets before the red and whites clawed their way back into the game to lead 14-10 at half-time. They added another converted try in a tense second half to come away with a 20-10 victory to stay alive for the 2025 season.
Playing on their home turf, Coonabarabran Unicorns first grade side were sitting pretty at half-time with an 18-6 lead over Gulgong Bull Terriers and they went even further in front after scoring a converted try under the posts within five seconds of the second half.
They stretched their lead out to 30-6 a short time later and at that point the home side looked to be coasting to an easy victory.
The Terriers had other ideas and went up a gear to race in three converted tries in eight minutes to set up another gripping contest at 30-24.
Both sides went at each other until Unicorns captain/coach Nick Willoughby skilfully threaded a grubber kick through the Gulgong defence from close range. The ensuing race for the ball was won by his centre Brad Fuller to give his side some breathing space at 36-24.
Whilst the Bull Terriers gave it their all in the remaining minutes and scored the last points in the match the clock was against them and they went down 36-30.
The major Semi-finals followed the next day at Coolah with Baradine Magpies reserve grade booking themselves a Grand Final berth with a 20-12 win over Minor Premiers Narromine Jets.
The previously undefeated Coolah Flyers League Tag premiership hopes took a severe battering when the Dunedoo Swannettes fired up in the second half after the scores were locked at 10-all at half-time to streak away with a 34-14 win.
First grade Minor Premiers Coolah Kangaroos also got off to a shaky start after trailing 12-0 early on against Narromine Jets. The match changed complexion midway through the first half when the Jets lost two players to a sin bin and a send-off.
The absence of these players helped Coolah and by half-time they were well back in the game after scoring two unconverted tries.
It didn’t take long for the ‘Roos to get ahead on the scoreboard after the resumption of play and with 27 minutes remaining the held an 18-12 lead.
The Jets got back to within two points midway through the second half but that was to be the last time they troubled the scorer. The Kangaroos were able to finish the match with two more converted tries to make it a 30-16 scoreline and secure a home Grand Final.
The Jets will now host the preliminary finals at Narromine this Saturday with all their three grades taking part.
Their reserve grade will kick off the day playing the Binnaway Bombshells whilst their League Tag side will be up against the Coolah Flyers and in first grade the Jets and the Coonabarabran Unicorns will clash!
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