It’s starting to look like this could be the year of the Roosters after Thirlmere brushed aside Camden to book a place in the 2019 grand final.
The Roosters booked their ticket to the Norman L Day Cup decider at Campbelltown Stadium in two weeks after blowing the Rams out of the park with a 48-22 win at Harvey Shephard Field.
In the other semi final of the weekend Picton Magpies outclassed The Oaks Tigers 38-12.
This weekend Picton will line up against Camden to decide who will meet Thirlmere in the grand final.
The Roosters jumped out of the blocks quickly against the Rams when big front rower Dane Coskerie crashed over after only two minutes.
Camden half Jackson Willis scored to restore parity on the scoreboard and when Ben Weir stormed over from close range the Rams were looking good 10-6 ahead after 15 minutes.
But that was where the highlights ended for Camden as Thirlmere ran riot after that.
Tries to Kye Madden, Jacob Loko and Josh Bryant helped the Roosters take a 24-10 lead into the rooms at halftime.
Thirlmere continued on their merry way in the second half with Dayne Craig scored the first of his two tries just after play resumed, before Camden’s Corey White returned serve, giving the Rams a glimmer of hope 10 minutes into the second period.
That glimmer was shut down quickly when the Roosters scored tries through Allan Shipley, Josh Bryant and Craig’s second on the final siren.
In the minor semi final between Picton and The Oaks the Magpies showed their class in recording a 38-12 win over the Tigers, who bowed out of the finals race at the second hurdle.
Picton opened the scoring through an Anthony Provost penalty goal, before he added a nice solo try on 11 minutes to make the margin 8 points.
Backrower Bryce Ritchie-Manns, who started off the bench, added his name to the list 10 minutes later, as the Magpies took control of the first half.
Joey Peato (who finished with two tries) scored before halftime, as the Magpies took control of the match, leading 20-6 at halftime.
The only highlight for the Tigers was a brilliant solo try to Alex Canham, who tiptoed down the western touchline, beating several defenders to score in the corner.
The second half was a more-dour affair, with points not coming so freely after the halftime break.
The opening try came 20 minutes into the second term, when Peato added his second of the day.
With the score at 26-6, the game was all but sealed for the Magpies, who did well to shut the game down. Tries in the final ten minutes to Taulima Tautai and Bryce Hoskins sealed the win, with Mitchell Brasington getting a consolation try six minutes before time for the Tigers.
RESULTS – FINALS – WEEK 2
First Grade
Thirlmere Roosters 48 Camden Rams 22;
Picton Magpies 38 The Oaks Tigers 12.
Reserve Grade
Camden Rams 40 Thirlmere Roosters 18;
Picton Magpies 34 Narellan Jets 26.
Under 18
Narellan Jets 16 Camden Rams 18;
Thirlmere Roosters 12 Mt Annan-Oakdale Knights 38.
Women’s League
Camden Rams 34 Thirlmere Roosters 6 (Minor Semi Final)
Second Division
Narellan Jets 22 Campbelltown City 6 (Minor Semi Final)
Shield
Warragamba Wombats 34 Bowral Blues 30 (Minor Semi Final)
League Tag 1
Oakdale 6 Narellan Blue 28 (Major Semi Final)
League Tag 2
The Oaks Tigers 4 Picton Magpies 0 (Minor Semi Final)
NEXT WEEK – PRELIMINARY FINALS (VICTORIA PARK, PICTON)
Saturday
Picton Magpies v City Gold (LLT 2 – 2.15pm);
Oakdale Workers v City Blue (LLT 1 – 3.30pm);
Bowral Blues v Thirlmere Roosters (Shield – 4.45pm);
Campbelltown City v Picton Magpies (2nd Division – 6.30pm)
Sunday
Thirlmere Roosters v Moss Vale Dragons (Women’s League – 10.15am);
Narellan Jets v Mt Annan-Oakdale Knights (Under 18 – 11.30am);
Thirlmere Roosters v Picton Magpies (Reserves – 1.15pm);
Camden Rams v Picton Magpies (First Grade – 3pm)
