CENTRAL COAST RUGBY UNION
PREVIEW
PRELIMINARY FINAL
SATURDAY, 17th August, 2024
WOY WOY OVAL
The Premier 1 Preliminary Final on Saturday at Woy Woy Oval sees a most interesting game of rugby. The match sees Warnervale playing Avoca Beach in the elimination match with the victor continuing on to play Terrigal in the Grand Final. It should be an enthralling game of rugby. There are no clear favourites in this match. However, Warnervale have won both their contests this year. Both were close, 13-8 and 18-12, so there is not too much between the two teams. Both will be most keen to play Terrigal in the Grand Final. Avoca Beach do have considerable Finals experience which will hold them in good stead but Warnervake have proved this year that they can go through to the big one. Warnervale would be most disappointed with their loss last week but will take a lot from that clash with Terrigal. Warnervale played quite well last week and had their chances but they know that they must play out the full 80 minutes. Avoca Beach are the reigning Premiers and they will be very keen not to give up that mantle this year. But they know they have a real battle on their hands if they are to overcome the Warnervale outfit. There is so much at stake on Saturday. Both teams know a win will see a Grand Final appearance against Terrigal, while a loss sees the end of the season. It all makes for a gripping contest this coming weekend.
The Premier 2 Preliminary Final will be a battle between the same two teams – Warnervale and Avoca Beach. It is very difficult to decide which way this match will go. These two teams are so evenly matched from No.1 to No.15 so this fact alone does not help in deciding on the winner in this match. Avoca Beach are a young team who will attempt to score tries from all sections of the ground. They are an exciting team to watch however they will need to be fully aware of the structure of the Warnervale team. They have had a win each against each other this year so there is obviously nothing between the two teams. This will be a most interesting game of rugby which could go either way.
The President’s Cup Preliminary Final sees two very good teams meeting in what should prove an exciting encounter. Terrigal will take on Kariong in a match which sees two teams with very similar makeups. Both teams have loads of experience. This will be a battle right to the very end. Kariong were very good in their Minor Semifinal victory but they know they are up against a Terrigal team who will be keen to put their loss last week far behind them. The two teams have had a win each, against each other this year so this contest will be tight. Both teams will be so desperate to reach the 2024 Grand Final where they will meet The Lakes.
Terrigal and Lake Macquarie meet in the Women’s 12’s Preliminary Final in what should be a great game, Lake Macquarie have won both their encounters this year but Finals rugby is totally different. Terrigal are the reigning Premiers and would like a chance to defend that Premiership this year but Lake Macquarie will also be very keen to have another match against Avoca Beach in the Grand Final.
TEAM LINEUPS ON SATURDAY :
Preliminary Final next week …………………
Woy Woy Oval 17th August
PREMIER 1 Avoca Beach v. Warnervale 3.15 pm
PREMIER 2 Avoca Beach v. Warnervale 1.35 pm
WOMEN’S 12’s Lake Macquarie v. Terrigal 12.25 pm
PRESIDENT’S CUP Kariong v. Terrigal 11 am
UNDER 12’s Avoca Beach v. C.C.G.S. 9.40 am
UNDER 11’s Avoca Beach Gold v. Terrigal 8.30 am