Avondale set up their clear-cut victory with a dominant first half display that saw them go to the sheds leading 33-12.

Shoals then tackled their way back into the game in a courageous display that resulted in 10 points to each side in the second half despite Shoals having only 30 per cent possession.

Tom Horton as he regularly does led the tackle count while young Angus Clark’s fiery locks came to prominence with many crashing runs in the forwards.

The first 15 minutes of the match saw an even tussle where both teams went on relentless attacking raids. However Avondale began to dominate possession and started to build up points. They scored three tries in the space of 8 minutes to race out to a lead of 21-0. Shoals hit back with a classic Mark Brandon race away try but that effort seemed to stir up Avondale and they put on a further two tries in quick succession. Shoals finished the half off well with a good team try finished off by Keiran Brandon.

The second half was a dour affair despite Avondale having a mountain of possession. Shoals simply stood their ground and tackled, then tackled some more, as they stoutly defended their line. Avondale scored a long range try at the 10-minute mark which Shoals matched a few minutes later with another Brandon brothers special.

Steve Brandon stepped his way clear from inside his own 22 metre line then floated past some defenders, offloaded to brother Mark who showed blinding speed to race half the field and plant the ball near the posts.

Avondale scored a few minutes later to take their score to 43 points. Shoals however were not finished and after a strong run by Keiran Brandon down the right wing Matt Spresser put on the speed and crashed his way over wide out to take his side to their 22 points.

Shoals play their final game of the ordinary rounds against Camden at Camden next Saturday. While they will not be playing in the finals Shoals will finish in the middle of the table following some fine wins against the higher placed clubs.

2nd Grade: The Workforce XS Shoals 2nd grade side has played well in recent weeks and could yet find itself in the finals. Gaining the 5 competition points for their stirring 46-7 win over the higher placed Avondale has kept them in the running. They currently sit with a bunch of teams separated by only one or two competition points vying for 4th spot.

Their game against lower placed Camden will be crucial to their hopes of a finals’ spot. However they will need some of the other results go their way such as the Campbelltown/ Vikings and the Bowral /University games. 

3rd Grade: Shoals had a tough encounter with Avondale which saw them go down 27-12. The scores were locked at 12-all at half time after a stirring but even tussle. The score remained that way for the first 15 minutes of the second half until Avondale broke out with a forwards’ inspired try. They scored two more tries in quick succession as they dominated possession in the latter stages of the match.

Shoals sit 4 points clear at the top of the table after their multiple wins through the mid-season and are certain finalists. However Shoals have a bye in the last competition rounds round so their final standing will not be known until after the Wollondilly White Waratahs match up against Camden, currently the second and third placed teams on the ladder.