After winning last year’s competition, the Shoals carried that strong form into the club’s 50^th anniversary season, by claiming the third grade minor premiership – finishing two points of the second-placed Camden.

During their 2018 campaign, the Shoals, captain/coached by Ben Dennis, won 12 matches and lost only four – including back-to-back losses to Bowral (20-10) and Avondale (27-12) to end the season.

As minor premiers, Shoals enjoyed the week off last weekend, giving them a much needed rest before their do-or-die clash with the Bowral Blacks.

The Shoals game, along with the other third grade match between Wollondilly and Camden, both at 12pm, will start an exciting day at Shoalhaven’s Rugby Club – with the two winners to face off in next Saturday’s grand final at WIN Stadium.

These matches will be followed by the second grade preliminary final between Avondale and Campbelltown at 1.15pm and first grade final battle between Bowral and University of Wollongong – which features Shoals product Takunda Chimwaza, who scored a last minute try to secure his team’s 22-21 win against Wollongong Vikings last Saturday – at 3pm.

Already in their respective grand finals are Avondale in first grade, who smashed Bowral 43-11 in their major semi-final, and Bowral, who defeated Campbelltown 21-19, in second grade.