EAGLES FLY INTO FINAL
Highfields get their chance to create their own history
IN a year that Highfields secured their first ever A-grade trophy, they’ll now have the chance to complete the coveted double.
A dominant middle period saw them overcome a gallant Valleys side in the TRL preliminary final, booking a grand final appearance.
They’ll have to get through Goondiwindi first, a team they’ve enjoyed some memorable battles with in 2021, and who are confident they can take the trophy back to the border town.
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Highfields Eagles will get the chance to complete the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy-Agrade double after a 36-24 victory over Valleys.
Highfields sent out an early statement with Blake Appo crashing over to give the Eagles the lead in just the second minute of play.
The Roosters soon responded, with a powerful run from Tevita Cocker putting them in front.
An intense middle stretch of the first half was taken advantage of by Valleys, who pushed out to a 16-4 lead after Sam Cocker and Brock Diment crossed.
Highfields wouldn’t be denied, fighting back hard to wrestle back momentum as Pat Templeman, Thomas Hatch and Campbell Stewart piled on tries inside eight minutes to give the Eagles a 22-18 lead at the break.
The back and forth struggle continued soon after halftime, with Blake Mara putting Valleys ahead once again just four minutes into the half.
That advantage was short lived, with the Eagles taking back possession from the kick off, allowing Josh Fanning to tip the game back in their favour.
Things finally cooled down with Highfields leading 28-24 with 18 minutes left to play.
Highfields had one foot in the grand final in the 71st minute when Conor Nolan hit a hole created by Cory McGrady to push the lead out to eight.
Valleys had a late chance, but were unable to capitalise from close range, and the Eagles made them pay with Fanning nailing a double and sending his side to the grand final.
They will now take on the Goondiwindi Boars in the grand final in a rematch of their Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy encounter.
OTHER GRADES
Wattles has kept its reserve grade season alive after downing Valleys 21-6.
In what proved to be an intense first half, Wattles were the only team to score, taking an 8-0 lead into the break.
They were able to stretch it out to 18-6 with 15 minutes to play, before a Gilbert McAntee field goal and another penalty goal put the result beyond any doubt.
Gatton is through to the inaugural TRL women’s grand final after a surging 30-10 defeat of Newtown.
Newtown started strongest, getting across the line first through Zella Duncan in the eighth minute, before Gatton hit back through Kimberley Dore after 20 minutes of play.
They used that momentum to take a 18-4 lead into the break, with Kathrine Moore and Meghan Clarke getting across the line to put the minor premiers in a strong position.
The Lions were faced with an almost impossible task after Courtney Robinson extended the advantage with 23 minutes to play.
Natalia Parsons added a late consolation try, before Latoya Broome capped off the win for the Hawks.
Highfields has the chance to complete the President’s Cup-Under 18s double after a comprehensive 42-4 win over Valleys in the preliminary final.
The Eagles were at their explosive best, with Declan Ryan, Dulamai Wightman and Preston Brown all finishing with doubles.