Home advantage for rugby union semi-final

Woy Woy will have the home advantage against Kariong in their minor semi-final game of Central Coast Rugby Union competition at Woy Woy Oval on Saturday, September 25.

"The final four sees four Premier 1 teams that are quite evenly matched and it should prove a close premiership," said Central Coast Rugby Union football officer Mr Larry Thomson.

"Woy Woy have had some great results during the year but at other times have seen matches slip away quite unexpectedly.

"However, they have had two very close wins over their rivals Kariong during the season.

"Both were close, 29 to 24 in the first round, and quite recently they won with a try on the fulltime whistle to win 30 to 28.

"It is obvious the clash on Saturday will be close if these two games are anything to go on," Mr Thomson said.

"Because of these two wins, Woy Woy may have that psychological advantage but finals rugby is a very different story.

"Both teams can score tries.

"Their respective backlines contain players who can make inroads into any opposition.

"Kariong will rely heavily on players such as Mitch Clay, Ryan Wallbank, Brent Bovis and Jake Holwill.

"Woy Woy also have players to do the same.

"These players include Wade Hannell, Mitch Hyde, Dante Otto and Fokolulu Taumalolo, but it is in the forwards where most games are won and lost.

"The two sets of forwards appear to be very evenly matched so it will come down to which group of forwards are more committed on the day.

"Both teams know their season is on the line.

"The winner on Saturday goes through to the preliminary final while the losing team can hang up their boots for the season.

"This will be an intense struggle and will closely fought for the entire 80 minutes," Mr Thomson said.

Woy Woy entered the finals in third place on the competition ladder but with less than 10 points between Woy Woy, Terrigal (second place) and Kariong (fourth), all finalists know that competition powerhouse and first placed Ourimbah, will be the team to beat this year.

SOURCE:

Media release, 21 Aug 2018

Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union