Late try delivers Dragons into finals

WESTERN Suburbs waited until the final three minutes of the regular season to stamp their finals boarding pass in a dramatic 22-7 road win over Charters Towers in the final round of the Townsville District Rugby Union season.

The Dragons entered the round with one chance to leapfrog Burdekin into a minor semi-final clash with North Ward next week, by beating Charters Towers and scoring four tries in the process.

In the 78th minute Western Suburbs had the win locked up but only three tries, setting up a high-octane conclusion.

With finals on the line Dragons halfback Christian Hughes fired a wide cut-out pass to hit unmarked James Faint on the left wing, punching Western Suburbs’ finals ticket for f the th second year in a row.

Veteran flanker Alex Vile (pictured) said he had never witnessed a celebration like it in his 90-plus matches in Townsville’s top flight.

“It was unreal. I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Vile said.

“Everyone knew what was at stake and when the try was scored Western Suburbs pretty much erupted.

“With the situation everyone was so tense and then just the relief when the try was scored – everyone on the bench jumped up and were celebrating, high-fiving, because we knew we’d done it.”

Vile said the Bulls had played the game of their season, with physical defence providing an ideal tune-up ahead of the finals.

“It’s a huge confidence boost,” Vile said.

“We ironed out some of the flaws in our game. It was definitely a game that will prep us well for the physicality of the North Ward boys upfront.”

Brothers (+455) edged out Teachers West (+355) for the minor premiership courtesy of points differential, after both clubs ended the season on 65 points.

Brothers beat North Ward 36-10 and Teachers beat Burdekin 32-12.