The 2019 grand final will be an all Wollondilly affair after the Picton Magpies powered over Camden Rams 36-10 in the preliminary final on Sunday at Victoria Park.
The Magpies will line up against Thirlmere Roosters in the Group Six big dance from 3.15pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this coming Sunday, September 15.
Thirlmere had some spies at Victoria Park, and no doubt would have been taking some notes from the preliminary final.
The Roosters will line up at Campbelltown Stadium well rested, having played just one match in four weeks.
Picton on the other hand will feel regular football across the finals will have their players battle hardened and ready to win the Norman L Day Cup.
Against Camden on Sunday Picton were in control throughout most of the the 80 minutes, while also enjoying the support from a large and vocal home crowd.
Only an Anthony Provost penalty goal separated the sides after 10 minutes, with neither gaining the ascendancy as they battled for possession and territory.
The game came to life after the opening 20 minutes, when Picton’s Steven Dengate scored a try to give Picton an 8-0 lead.
Immediately after that flying winger Joey Peato scored the first of his double, with a 100m intercept try, where no Camden defenders were able to get remotely close to the outside back.
Picton led 14-0 going into the halftime break but Camden kept the home side scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Nathan Davis, the big Picton winger, crashed over to extend the lead to 20-0, a try that sparked Camden into action in attack and they produced two quick tries.
Jackson Willis, who tried hard all afternoon, scored the first, before hard working hooker Ben Quinlan touched down scored minutes later.
Suddenly the scoreboard read 20-10 to the Magpies, and the locals would have been just a little nervous.
However, veteran backrower Alex Peters settled the nerves with a try as the Magpies increased the lead to 14 points.
Picton put to game to bed in the final 10 minutes of the match, when five eighth Daniel Payne scored and Peato chimed in with his second of the day.
RESULTS:
First Grade Camden Rams 10 Picton Magpies 36.
Reserve Grade Thirlmere Roosters 34 Picton Magpies 10
Under 18 Narellan Jets 28 Mt Annan Knights 6
Women’s League Thirlmere Roosters 40 Moss Vale Dragons 0
Second Division Campbelltown City 20 Picton Magpies 18
Southern Highlands Shield Bowral Blues 18 Thirlmere Roosters 16
League Tag 1 Oakdale Workers 6 City Blue Roos 10
League Tag 2 Picton Magpies 18 City Gold Roos 14 (Golden Point)
NEXT WEEK – GRAND FINALS @ CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM
League Tag 2 Oaks Tigers v Picton Magpies (Saturday 2.15pm);
League Tag 1 Narellan Blue v City Blue (Saturday 3.30pm);
Southern Highlands Shield Warragamba Wombats v Bowral Blues (Saturday 4.45pm)
Second Division Narellan Jets v Campbelltown City (Saturday 6.30pm).
Women’s League Camden Rams v Thirlmere Roosters (Sunday 10.15am)
Under 18 Camden Rams v Narellan Jets (Sunday 11.30am)
Reserve Grade Camden Rams v Thirlmere Roosters (Sunday 1.15pm);
FIRST GRADE Thirlmere Roosters v Picton Magpies (Sunday 3.15pm).
