THE Illawarra Steelers SG Ball side are now just one win away from the 2019 grand final, after a comprehensive 40-12 qualifying final win against the Central Coast Roosters on Saturday.
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On a massive day at WIN Stadium, Ben Linde's Steelers jumped out of the blocks thanks to three early tries to Aaron Schoupp, Jackson Shereb and Mathew Feagai - as the hosts led 16-nil after 22 minutes.
A Riley Meyn try for the Roosters in the 28th minute temporarily stemmed the hosts scoring spree, before Jayden Sullivan crossed just before the break, to give the Steelers a 20-6 lead at the break.
A Max Feagai try in the first minute after the resumption signalled a sign of things to come for the scarlet and white, as Connor Muhleisen, Tyrell Sloan and Schoupp all scored second half tries.
Luke Knight managed to score the Roosters' second but it proved too little, too late, as the hosts ran out winners by 28 points.
Linde's side, which featured Group Seven's Blake Dowel (Warilla-Lake South), Oscar Fitzpatrick (Milton-Ulladulla), Sam Hooper (Warilla-Lake South), Oliver Parrish (Berry-Shoalhaven Heads) and Joshua Coric (Albion Park-Oak Flats), will now enjoy the week off before playing the winner of the elimination final between Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown in the preliminary final.
Unfortunately, Daniel Lacey's Tarsha Gale Steelers side weren't as fortunate, going down 32-30 to rivals St George.
After leading 6-4 at the break, the game came life in the second half, as the Dragons scored five tries to the Steelers four to set up the two-point win.
In the loss, Teagan Berry (two), Keele Browne (two) and Maddison Weatherall scored for Lacey's side, with Olivia Vale landing five kicks.
Lacey's squad, headlined by Milton-Ulladulla's Keele Browne and Meg Buchanan and Stingrays' Riley Scott, will now look to rebound against Parramatta this weekend, in their elimination final.
The final Steelers final at WIN Stadium on Saturday, saw Jono Dallas' Harold Matthews side go down 18-10 to Balmain, in their elimination final - therefore ending their 2019 campaign.
In the loss, the Steelers tries were scored by Benjamin Lavender and Jarvis Polley, with Toby Peters landing one conversion.
On the day, Dallas squad included Stingrays' Toby Peters, Jarvis Polley and Coleby Smith, Milton-Ulladulla's Jye Hendire and Nowra's Jonah Longbottom.
The final game at WIN Stadium saw the St George Illawarra Dragons Jersey Flegg side, featuring Group Seven's Jiye Ellis, Jake Brisbane (both Albion Park-Oak Flats), Blair Grant (Warilla-Lake South), Sam McCann (Milton-Ulladulla) andTyran Wishart (Gerringong), defeat Canterbury-Bankstown 30-14.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
