The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs will continue their finals campaign in three grades, while the Hot Doggies fell out of contention over the weekend.
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The first grade Bulldogs claimed a single-point victory in extra time to extinguish the Bega Roosters’ hopes 13-12 in extra time in the elimination final at the Dogpound on Saturday.
Bega quick Zac Cuzner opened the scoring off a quick burst, but the Bulldogs were quick to reply with prop Grant Moon making a 60-metre dash to score.
Before the break, Cuzner flanked to the other side of the field and punished the Bulldogs again, with a darting try on the left edge.
After Zak Mikula scored early in the second half, the Roosters trailed 12-10, but James Bower-Scott made no mistake when the Bega side opted for a shot on goals from about 30 out after a penalty.
Despite increasingly desperate attacking raids, neither team could find the try-line late in the piece and play went to extra time.
In the opening five minutes, Bega tried a shot for the field goal, but missed from range, while Corey Schafer slotted the single point kick in the second period.
Earlier, the reserve grade Bull Ants had edged out the Moruya Sharks in a closely fought thriller 18-16.
The two teams traded tries after a majority of play fluctuated through the middle, while a number of changeovers from knock-ons or cheeky intercepts also kept danger plays short of the try line.
After respective tries to Todd Bolton from a breakaway dash and Ian Smith put the Bull Ants ahead 8-0, the Sharks took charge in the first half to lead 16-8 at the break.
It was Smithy’s second in the right corner late in the second half that sealed a two-point lead.
The under 18 Bulldogs advance straight to the grand final after downing the Bay Tigers 24-8 at Cooma on Sunday.
The Tigers fired off the blocks, but the Bulldogs quickly found their composure and some strong edge runs from Mathew Moon and Kyle Shepherdson helped establish a good lead before the break.
Jack McGuire had some strong carries in the second half to set his backs loose and seal a comfortable win.
In league-tag, the Hot Doggies season has ended, going down to the Bega Chicks 22-14 where Taelar Williams starred for the Bega squad, claiming a hat-trick of tries and helping set up a 16-0 lead at the break.
The Hot Doggies replied quickly in the second half through their own number six Tamika Millard, who scored two tries, but Madison Parbery claimed a late try to seal the win for Bega.