THE Gerringong Breakers have secured their second straight grand final berth in first grade, after defeating Illaroo 5-nil at South Nowra’s Ison Park on Saturday.
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A week after losing to Bomaderry 2-1 in the qualifying final, the minor premiers rebounded in a big way in the preliminary final – thanks largely to a hat-trick from Kane Rowe.
The hard-fought match was evenly poised until Rowe found the back of the net in the 30th minute, which was a sign of things to come.
Rowe had his second 12 minutes later, to give Jadon Lavington’s men a 2-nil advantage at the break.
But any hope of an Illaroo fightback was put to bed in the 65th minute when Rowe completed his hat-trick.
Jake Packham got in on the act one minute later, to make it 4-nil before Gary Vian iced the game in the 80th minute, with his team’s fifth for the afternoon.
“I’m happy with the clean sheet and it was great to put our chances in the net this week,” Breakers coach Lavington said.
“We know Bomaderry are going to be a lot tougher in the grand final, so will be hoping to keep the momentum going into the decider this Saturday.
“The club and the whole town is absolutely buzzing - we have a lot to play for this weekend and I know the boys will leave it all out on the field.”
The Breakers, who finished with last year’s minor premiership before losing in the grand final to Culburra on penalties, will be hoping to go one better when they battle Bomaderry for the fourth time this season from 3pm on Saturday.
In reserve grade, Huskisson booked their place in the grand final, thanks to grinding 1-nil victory against Culburra in Saturday’s preliminary final
The Seagulls will now play Culburra for the reserve grade crown from 1pm on Saturday.
While in third grade, Wreck Bay will play Huskisson for the premiership from 11am, after the latter defeated Culburra 2-nil in Saturday’s preliminary final.
All matches will be played at South Nowra’s Ison Park.