CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION
PREVIEW
MAJOR SEMIFINAL
SATURDAY, 10th AUGUST, 2024
WOY WOY OVAL
The Major Semifinal on Saturday at Woy Woy Oval sees a classic rugby encounter between two excellent teams, Terrigal and Warnervale, for the third time this year. They meet in a match that should prove a thriller. The winner proceeds to the Grand Final while the losing team will meet Avoca Beach in the Preliminary Final the following weekend.
The Premier 1 Major Semi-final between Terrigal and Warnervale should be a wonderful game of rugby. Terrigal will go into the clash as favourites on the basis that they have been undefeated all season and have set the standard and the pace in this competition all year. They obviously would be most keen to continue that undefeated record and go straight into the big one on the 24th August. Terrigal have a very well balanced team with no obvious weakness from prop to fullback. They also have very good depth so if there any concerns with injuries or performance, suitable changes can be made with little effect on the team structure. Terrigal will have players such as Josh Vainikolo and Ethan McInnes leading from the front and they will attempt to lay the foundation for victory in the forwards. Warnervale also have a most effective forward pack – players that can be strong and damaging for the full 80 minutes. The forwards will be so crucial in this match, and their control of the ball and territory will be the key. Both backlines have pace and experience. Terrigal have won both their clashes this year, but both have been quite tight. The scores were 22-13 and 15-6. This will be another close match and the result will probably not be determined until late in the match.
The Premier 2 Major Semifinal will be a battle between the same two sides as in Premier 1 – Terrigal and Warnervale. Terrigal were convincing Minor Premiers in this grade but once in the Finals, things can be very different. Both teams have played exciting rugby during the year and both teams will be most keen to go straight through to the Grand Final. Like the top grade, there was very little between these two teams all year. In some ways there is less pressure on teams in a Major Semi-final because the teams do get two bites of the cherry. However it is also very good to go straight in to the big one. Terrigal won both clashes this year, but latest contest was quite even. It will be most interesting to see who wins on Saturday.
The President’s Cup Major Semifinal sees two very good teams meeting in what should prove a most interesting encounter. The Lakes take on Terrigal in what is a clash between two quite similar teams. Both squads have loads of experience but at the same time there is some youth. However experience will dominate. The Lakes have won both encounters between these two sides this year but there was never too much between them. These two teams have set the pace all year in this grade and both deserve to be there on Saturday. It all makes for an exciting game of rugby.
The Women’s 12’s Major Semifinal sees Lake Macquarie meeting Avoca Beach in what will be an enthralling contest. This is Lake Macquarie’s first appearance in a Central Coast Finals and there will be much support for them on Saturday. These two teams have been the dominant performers in this competition this year. Lake Macquarie were Minor Premiers but they shared a victory each against each other this year. This match will go right down to the wire.
Major Semi Final Woy Woy Oval
10th August
TEAM LINEUPS NEXT SATURDAY :
11.00 am President’s Cup The Lakes v. Terrigal
12.25 pm Women’s 12’s Lake Macquarie v. Avoca Beach
1.35 pm Premier 2 Terrigal v. Warnervale
3:15 pm Premier 1 Terrigal v. Warnervale