And then there were four.
The Oakdale Workers fairytale run ended when they suffered a dramatic, last gasp loss to The Oaks Tigers in the elimination final.
All the Group Six action was at Dudley Chesham Oval on Sunday, where, reports MIKE SHEAN, Camden held off Picton to win 24-16 and the right to meet minor premiers Thirlmere in the Major Semi Final next Sunday.
But it was the Oaks Tigers who survived the fright of their lives against the brave Oakdale Workers and keep their title hopes alive for another week.
The last gasp, heart stopping 32-30 win over Oakdale means the Tigers will now take on Picton Magpies in the minor semi final this weekend.
The Tigers were in control of the match for large portions of it, but a comeback of epic proportions from the Workers had them on the back foot.
It took a Mitchell Brasington conversion after the final siren for the Tigers to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Tigers took the lead after 16 minutes when centre Jaydyn Phillips scored the first of his two tries.
His second, 11 minutes before halftime, saw the Tigers extend the lead to 10-0.
When Hamish Oxley scored a few minutes into the second half for a 16-0 lead, it looked like it was all over for the Workers.
However, that script wasn’t given to the Workers, especially halfback Arthur Little.
Little was instrumental in an incredible comeback for the Workers, scoring three tries in eight minutes to give Oakdale the lead at 18-16.
When fullback Blake Sutton scored the lead was stretched to 24-16 with 19 minutes to go.
The teams traded tries to reach the 70th minute with the Workers holding a handy 10 point lead.
With just two minutes left on the clock the Tigers reduced the deficit to four points after James Kovac scored.
At 30-26 and seconds left on the clock it looked as though the Tigers’ season was over, but a try in the corner by Oxley left Brasington a tough conversion from wide on the right edge.
The Tigers’ captain kept his cool, slotting the kick into a slight breeze and sending the home crowd into raptures.
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The qualifying semi final between Camden and Picton earlier in the day didn’t disappoint either, with the Rams downing the Magpies 24-16.
Jackson Willis was among the stars for Camden, along with his halves partner Will Kerr.
Willis, the son of legendary Western Suburbs Magpies half Andrew Willis, bagged a first half double, with Kerr also joining the party with a four pointer to have Camden ahead 14-0 inside the first half hour.
Picton returned fire when Jon Crosswell and Nathan Davis scored before the break.
Davis added a second minutes after play resumed, to give the Magpies the lead for the first time at 16-14.
Camden replied with tries to Freddy KIni and Luke Peoples, to regain the lead an eight point buffer, which proved enough in the end.
Indeed that was the last time either team scored and the last 25 minutes passed without anyone bothering the scoreboard attendants.
RESULTS – WEEK 1 GROUP SIX 2019 FINALS SERIES
FIRST GRADE
Camden Rams 24 Picton Magpies 16;
The Oaks Tigers 32 Oakdale Workers 30.
RESERVE GRADE
Picton Magpies 25 Thirlmere Roosters 30;
Narellan Jets 24 Mittagong Lions 4.
UNDER 18
Camden Rams 40 Thirlmere Roosters 14;
Mittagong Lions 18 Mt Annan-Oakdale Knights 28.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Picton Magpies 10 Moss Vale Dragons 18 (after extra time. 10-10 Fulltime). Minor Semi Final
LEAGUE TAG 1
City Blue 8 Camden Rams 6. Minor Semi Final
LEAGUE TAG 2
City Gold 22 Narellan White 10. Minor Semi Final
SECOND DIVISION
Picton Magpies 38 Mt Annan Knights 34. Minor Semi Final
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS SHIELD
Oran Park Chargers 20 Thirlmere Roosters 30. Minor Semi Final
NEXT WEEK – HARVEY SHEPHARD FIELD, KIRKHAM PARK, CAMDEN
Friday
The Oaks Tigers v Picton Magpies (LLT 2 – 6pm);
Oakdale Workers v Narellan Blue (LLT 1 – 7.15pm). Major Semi Finals
Saturday
Warragamba Wombats v Bowral Blues (Shield – 1.15pm Major Semi);
Narellan Jets v Campbelltown City (Second Div – 3pm Major Semi);
Thirlmere Roosters v Mt Annan-Oakdale Knights (U/18 – 4.45pm Minor Semi);
Picton Magpies v Narellan Jets (Res – 6.30pm Minor Semi)
Sunday
Camden Rams v Thirlmere Roosters (Womens RL – 8.30am Major Semi);
Narellan Jets v Camden Rams (U/18 – 9.45am Major Semi);
Camden Rams v Thirlmere Roosters (Res – 11.30am Major Semi);
Thirlmere Roosters v Camden Rams (1sts – 1.15pm Major Semi);
Picton Magpies v The Oaks Tigers (1sts – 3pm Minor Semi)
