Thrilling last round in Juniors sets scene for Finals
A drama filled last round of the Junior Competition has seen the best home and away season in recent memory draw to a close. Now on to the Finals!
In the Under 11 age group, South West Rocks Dockers victory over second placed Coffs Harbour Breakers sees the club qualify a team for Finals for the first time in its short history. This match was a nail biter, with a number of lead changes throughout, but the Dockers dug deep in the final quarter to claim the all important win.
In the Under 13 age group, Port Swoopers sealed top spot with a comfortable win over stable mates and nearest rivals on the ladder, Port Flyers. But it was in the race for third and fourth places where the drama lived.
Coffs Breakers, Port Bombers, and Bellingen Bulldogs went into the last round locked on match ratio, meaning a three way shoot-out for two spots. Breakers and Bombers both recorded comfortable wins whilst the Dogs suffered a nail-biting and heart-breaking one point loss to Nambucca Valley Lions to bow out of the race for Finals.
The Youth Girls competition was the only age group where final standings were known heading into the last round of the season. Port Macquarie finish fifth and miss Finals but it has been great having the girls in the competition and they will definitely be a stronger combination in 2022.
In Under 15, Nambucca Valley Lions defeated nearest neighbours Bellingen Bulldogs to seal second spot on the ladder and earn hosting duties for the second v third place Semis. Coffs Breakers scored an upset win over top of the ladder Port Magpies to seal third place and leave Bellingen in fourth.
The schedule for the Semi Finals on Sunday 8 August is as follows:
Semi Final 1 (1st v 4th) – Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie, Sunday 8 August
10:55am Under 11 Port Macquarie Flyers v South West Rocks Dockers
12:20pm Under 13 Port Macquarie Swoopers v Port Macquarie Bombers
1:45pm Under 15 Port Macquarie Magpies v Bellingen Bulldogs
Semi Final 2 (2nd v 3rd) – EJ Biffin Playing Fields, Nambucca Heads, Sunday 8 August
9:30am Under 11 Coffs Harbour Breakers v Sawtell Toormina Saints (Eastern Oval)
10:55am Under 13 Port Macquarie Flyers v Coffs Harbour Breakers (Eastern Oval)
10:55am Youth Girls Bellingen Bulldogs v Coffs Harbour Breakers (Western Oval)
12:20pm Youth Girls Sawtell Toormina Saints v Grafton Tigers* (Western Oval)
1:45pm Under 15 Nambucca Valley Lions v Coffs Harbour Breakers (Western Oval)
A special mention to the players and coaches of all teams whose season has now finished. This season has seen the playing standard of all teams rise, resulting in more close results than ever and an incredible number of draws! We look forward to seeing each and every one of you on an oval again in 2022.
