CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION
RESULTS
PRELIMINARY FINAL
WOY WOY OVAL
SATURDAY, 17th SEPTEMBER, 2024
PREMIER 1
Avoca Beach 18
Michael Houssenloge 2 tries;
Fionn Henderson-Foley 1 conversion, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Warnervale 17
Keegan Quakawoot 2, Veipueki Siale tries;
Sione Braxton 1 conversion
PREMIER 2
Avoca Beach 36
Kaya Ardita 2, Harrison McGarry, Tristan Morris-Bowyer, Jack Magriplis tries;
Liam Davies 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Warnervale 31
Cameron McNamara 2, Andrew Williams, Ricky Blake, Atunaisa Turagabeci tries;
Cameron McNamara 3 conversions
PRESIDENT’S CUP
Terrigal 27
Stephen Williams, Stephen Bright, Ben Correy-Smith tries;
Nick Armstrong 3 conversions, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Kariong 12
Ryan Conaghan, Graham Porter tries;
Jack Waining 1 conversion
WOMEN’S 12’s
Lake Macquarie 43
Terina Haami 2, Kiara Naicoko 2, Brooke Masoe, Finesse Johansson, Shanaye Rutonski tries;
Kiara Naicoko 1 conversion;
Kirstie Lawson 3 conversions
defeated
Terrigal 24
Maia Madden Khan 3, Katie O’Mara tries;
Prue Bright 2 conversions
REPORT :
The Premier 1 Preliminary Final at Woy Woy Oval saw one of the closest matches in Finals rugby for quite awhile when Avoca Beach were able to hang on to record a 18 points to 17 win over Warnervale. The match was not decided until right on fulltime. Both teams had left everything out on the paddock. The match commenced on a very even keel with both teams having their chances early on. However, it was Warnervale who opened the scoring when they crossed for a try in the 11th minute to lead by 5 points to nil. It was just the start they wanted. It was not too long before Avoca Beach hit back and secured their first points. A try to winger Michael Houssenloge saw them score a converted try for them to take the lead in the 18th minute by 7 points to 5. This was soon followed by a penalty goal to Avoca Beach and this scoreline of 10 points to 5 remained the situation for much of the remainder of the first half. However, Warnervale were able to take the lead once again when they crossed for their second try late in the half to lead by 12 points to 10. The first half was certainly an evenly fought affair as the rest of the match was also to prove. This score of 12-10 remained the situation at the halftime break. The opening stages of the second half, and in fact most of the first 20 minutes of that half, Avoca Beach controlled territory and possession. They were camped in Warnervale territory but were unable to post points due to some outstanding Warnervale defence. Penalty goals were missed and it was not until the 30th minute of the second half that Avoca Beach was able to break through and post the first points of this half. A kick and chase by winger Michael Houssenloge saw him race through for his second try. Avoca Beach had taken the lead by 15 points to 12. Suddenly Warnervale responded to this situation. With four minutes to go, Warnervale crossed for a great try through their centre Keegan Quakawoot, in what was his second try in the match. The conversion was missed but Warnervale had taken the lead once again, by 17 points to 15 with time running out. Avoca Beach kicked a penalty goal with only minutes left, for them to usurp the lead by 18 points to 17. It was such a tight match with the lead changing continuously throughout the fixture. Warnervale had an opportunity right on fulltime to kick a winning penalty goal but it shaved the posts on the wrong side for them. Warnervale did score 3 tries to two but it was not enough on the day. Avoca Beach had held on for a heart stopping victory. Best players for Avoca Beach were winger Michael Houssenloge, hooker Cooper Elliott, and No.8 Lachlan Thomas. Warnervale weer best served by centre Keegan Quakawoot, No.8 Tevita Piukala and flanker Kye Haslam. Avoca Beach move onto next Saturday’s Grand Final, where they meet Terrigal in the 2024 decider. Warnervale finish up for the year but despite this loss, can be well proud of their efforts this season in what has been a great season for them.
Avoca Beach defeated Warnervale in Premier 2 when they won the Preliminary Final by 36 points to 31. This contest proved another nail biting encounter. Avoca Beach got away to a great start and led 14 nil early on, and then by 21 points to 5 later in the first half. Warnervale did score their second try before the break, for Avoca Beach to go to the halftime interval leading by 21 points to 12. The second half was a very even struggle. Warnervale fought back and eventually took the lead midway through the second half by 31 points to 24. It was a great effort to get themselves back into the contest after their slow start. However, Avoca Beach stormed home and two late tries saw them take the lead and the match. Avoca Beach move into the Grand Final and meet Terrigal next Saturday.
Terrigal won the President’s Cup Preliminary Final, defeating Kariong by 27 points to 12. Terrigal got away to a great start with two converted tries in the opening stanza. Terrigal led by 17 points to 0 at the halftime break and appeared to be in control of the match, and so it proved in the second half. Kariong did outscore Terrigal 12-10 in the second half but all the damage for them had been done in the first half. Terrigal move into the Grand Final in an attempt to win the President’s Cup Premiership against The Lakes next week. Their victory does see Terrigal have all their three men’s teams into the decider next Saturday.
In a display a great Finals rugby, Lake Macquarie defeated Terrigal in the Women’s 12’s Preliminary Final by 43 points to 24. It was a hard fought and intense match from start to finish and there was high skill level on display by both teams in the match. There was much movement back and forwards in the match, but it was Lake Macquarie who was able to cross for 7 exciting tries to Terrigal’s 4. Lake Macquarie move into the Grand Final next Saturday where they meet Avoca Beach in a repeat of the Major Semi-final.