THIRD to fifth placings in the Group Three Rugby League final five this season will be determined by next weekend’s final round.
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There are three key games – Taree City and Port Macquarie at the Jack Neal Oval; Old Bar against Wauchope at Old Bar and Macleay Valley’s clash with Wingham at Kempsey.
This follows the results of the penultimate round when Taree City accounted for Wauchope, Port City downed Port Macquarie and Wingham upset Old Bar.
Taree City now sits in third place on 28 points, one clear of Port Macquarie with Wingham fifth on 25 and Old Bar out of the five on 24.
The Tigers kept their finals hopes alive with a 50-26 mauling of Old Bar at Wingham. A loss would have meant the end for Wingham and sealed Old Bar’s top five berth. However, the Tigers showed the consistency that has eluded them all year to dominate all facets of the game. Only some opportunistic efforts kept Old Bar in the contest.
“We lack enthusiasm,’’ Old Bar co-captain-coach Danny Russell lamented.
"We had a few players pull out Thursday night and Friday and that didn’t help our preparation. But their season was on the line and we didn’t show up.
“We could have put their season to an end, but we just didn't.
“Now we have to rely on results in the last round. They've got Macleay at Kempsey and we’re at home to Wauchope.’’
On paper Macleay and Old Bar should record wins, but then again, on form Old Bar should have accounted for Wingham.
“If we’d won today we could have gone as high as third. Now we have to rely on other other results, which is not where you want to be at this time of the year,’’ Russell mused.
Wingham’d Jamie Moorehead was a relieved coach at fulltime.
“We’re still in it,’’ he smiled.
“We had energy and enthusiasm today. That was the difference. Old Bar are a tough side and they probably don’t get the credit they deserve.
“If you don't match their intensity you know your’re in for a game.
"The main thing we wanted to accomplish today was to be energetic and enthusiastic and start well and we did.
“We control our own destiny now. We have no-one to blame but ourselves so what happens, happens.’’
Much of Wingham’s bright attacking play started from the halves and this enabled their outside backs to create havoc. Wingham’s forwards, led by second rower Jake Mullen, also gained a points decision over their bigger rivals, who struggled with the tempo of the game. Mullen was the best forward on the park and there were willing workers in under-rated prop Blake Fraser and lock Nick Beauchamp while hooker Mitch Collins had his busiest match of the year. It was also a memorable day for slightly built winger Fletcher Lewis. He took on the goal kicking duties following an injury to co-winger Michael Bailey and managed four conversions while he also finished with two tries –his second to bring up the half century. At the back Matt Bridge proved to be a headache for the Old Bar defence with some smart stepping runs.
Wingham led 24-14 at halftime and increased this to 36-14 at one point. There was a mini resurgence from the Pirates but they never really threatened to haul in the runaway Tigers.
Five-eighth Nathan Maher did some classy things in attack for Old Bar and winger John Cook was the beneficiary, finishing with three tries. But generally it was a poor day for the Pirates, exacerbated by an ankle injury to co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler, who was assisted from the field midway through the second half.
In the minor grades Old Bar won the league tag 20-0 and the under 18s 46-12. Wingham were too strong in reserve grade, finishing 30-10 winners.