And just like that, in the blink of an eye the regular season has been completed and we are on the eve of finals footy for season 2020.
This coming Sunday the Thirlmere Roosters will meet Oakdale Workers in the major semi final, while Campbelltown City Kangaroos face The Oaks Tigers in the sudden-death minor semi final.
Thirlmere claimed a second Group 6 Rugby League minor premiership, after a win on the final day of the season against Mittagong.
The Roosters were too strong for the Lions, winning 66-4 at Thirlmere Sportsground.
On Saturday evening The Oaks prevailed 26-12 over neighbours Oakdale in the battle of Burragorang at Dudley Chesham Oval.
The Tigers came from behind to win, scoring 16 unanswered points in the second half, which will be a concern for the Oakdale coaching staff, ahead of next week’s major semi final with Thirlmere.
Oakdale came out of the blocks firing on Saturday evening, silencing a healthy and vocal crowd, many of whom were there to support the Tigers on their annual Old Boys Night against their arch-rivals.
Matthew Whitehouse scored for the Workers after just four minutes, giving the visitors from the western reaches the perfect start. Ben Powers crashed over minutes later, giving Oakdale an 8-0 lead, with poor goalkicking proving to be costly against the home side.
Just as the opening 20 minutes came to a close, Mitchell Brasington sparked the home side, and their many fans to life, scoring and converting a solo try, to reduce the margin to 8-6 at the short break.
Both sides managed one try before the halftime break, with Oakdale’s going to Levi McLean five minutes after play resumed. This would be the last score for the Workers, as the Tigers piled on the points, and wrestled the momentum back their way.
Again, just before the halftime siren, the Tigers scored through returning winger Hamish Oxley. The scoreline at the break read 12-10 to Oakdale, but neither side would have been disappointed with the opening 40 minutes.
According to the scoresheet, all the action in the second half went the way of the home side, but in reality, it was far more even than the figures show.
The Tigers only scored one try in the first 20 minutes of the second half, to Roman Ioelu, who caused havoc for the Workers outside backs all night long.
The final 20 minutes was just like the other 60, very tight, with neither side giving much away in a passionate local derby. Neither side took control of the match, with possession even after the opening 20 minutes, and the two teams giving away little throughout the evening.
The Tigers really sealed the win in the closing minutes, with two quick tries towards at the end of the match, one each to centre James Goring and forward Daniel Bell.
RESULTS – ROUND 6 – FIRST GRADE
The Oaks Tigers 26 Oakdale Workers 12;
Thirlmere Roosters 66 Mittagong Lions 4.
Campbelltown City bye.
FINAL LADDER: Thirlmere, Oakdale 10; Campbelltown City 8; The Oaks 6; Mittagong 2.
SECOND GRADE
The Oaks 24 Oakdale 6;
Appin Dogs 6 South West Goannas 22;
Thirlmere 24 Mittagong 8;
Campbelltown City 18 Narellan Jets 22.
FINAL LADDER: Thirlmere 12; Narellan 10; Appin, Mittagong 8; The Oaks 6; South West, Oakdale 2; Campbelltown City 0.
UNDER 18
Appin 40 Narellan 10;
Thirlmere 18 Camden 18;
Campbelltown City 6 Mt Annan Knights 30.
Mittagong bye.
FINAL LADDER: Camden 11; Mt Annan 10; Thirlmere 9; Mittagong 8; Appin 6; Narellan 4; Campbelltown City 0.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Thirlmere 28 Mittagong 0;
Campbelltown City 0 Narellan 6;
Highlands bye.
FINAL LADDER: Narellan 12; Thirlmere 10; Campbelltown City, Highlands 6; Mittagong 2.
LEAGUE TAG
The Oaks 4 Oakdale 44;
Thirlmere 4 Camden 32;
City Gold 8 Narellan White 8;
City Blue 14 Narellan Blue 16.
Mittagong bye.
FINAL LADDER: Oakdale 12; Camden 10; City Blue, Narellan Blue, Mittagong 8; Narellan White 7; City Gold 5; The Oaks 2; Thirlmere 0.
THIRD GRADE
Mt Annan Knights 8 Narellan Jets 60;
Warragamba Wombats 28 South West Goannas 20;
Oran Park Chargers 18 Camden Rams 42.
Highlands bye.
FINAL LADDER: Narellan, Highlands 12; Warragamba 8; Camden, South West 6; Oran Park, Mt Annan 2.
NEXT WEEK – SEMI FINALS – WEEK 1
Minor Semis (Dudley Chesham Oval, The Oaks on Saturday)
LLT2 – City Gold v The Oaks (3pm);
LLT1 – Narellan Blue v City Blue (4.15pm);
Third Grade Warragamba v Camden (6.30pm).
Major Semis (Sid Sharp Oval, Oakdale on Saturday)
LLT2 – Mittagong v Narellan White (3pm);
LLT1 – Oakdale v City Blue (4.15pm);
Third Grade – Narellan v Highlands (6.30pm)
Minor Semis (Victoria Park, Picton on Sunday; Campbelltown City hosts)
U/18 – Thirlmere v Mittagong (10.30am);
WRL – Campbelltown City v Highlands (12pm);
Second Grade – Appin v Mittagong (1.30pm);
FIRST GRADE– Campbelltown City v The Oaks (3.15pm)
Major Semis (Sid Sharp Oval, Oakdale on Sunday)
Under 18 – Camden v Mt Annan (10.30am);
WRL – Narellan v Thirlmere (12pm);
Second Grade – Thirlmere v Narellan (1.30pm);
FIRST GRADE – Thirlmere v Oakdale (3.15pm)
