Raiders to challenge reigning Premiers Roosters Blue Henley Raiders are through to the Sports Centre Cup Division One Grand Final after defeating Eels (1) 24-12 at Dry Creek on Sunday afternoon. Both teams opened with strong defensive play, with Eels shutting down Henley’s athletic pushes.After a scoreless 15 minutes of play, Eels Benji Fono used defensive pressure to force a turnover near the sideline and score.Henley pushed back with second-rower Karl Edgar forcing his way through the Eels defensive line to score. A successful conversion saw the scores level at 6-all.In the 20th minute of play, Henley winger Zac Jaworski and centre Alani Naa used clever ball movement and their speed to sprint 40 metres along the sideline. Moments later, Henley five-eighth Ziggy Bartlett capitalised on this attacking play and scored under the posts.Minutes before halftime, Eels used good ball movement between halfback Mike Lowrie and front-rower and Captain Alistair Pragnell to gain much needed ground. This passage of play set-up lock Ben Golding to score after a 30 metre sprint down the ground. A successful conversion by centre Michael Lambert levelled the scores at 12-all.With the scores locked at halftime, both teams opened defensively in the second half with Henley Edgar and Eels Benji Fono blocking multiple pushes.However, Henley found space and gaps in the Eels line and in the 10th minute of play, halfback Haare Tumai darted through and sprinted 20 metres to score. A successful conversion saw Henley lead 18-12.Both teams continued to show strong attacking play including an impressive 40 metre sprint by Eels Golding and good forward pushed from Henley Henry Nema that brought their teams within five metres of their try-line. However, strong defensive pressure from both sides prevented any scoring opportunities.With five minutes remaining in the game, a penalty was awarded to Henley’s Haare Tumai after he was held-down in a tackle by an Eels defender. An unsuccessful penalty kick kept the game within Eels reach.But in the dying seconds of the game, Henley Jaworski broke through the Eels line and scored after a 30 metre sprint down the line, sealing Henley’s spot in the Grand Final.Best on ground was Henley’s Zac Jaworski who showed strong aggressive play throughout the game and scored one try. Other standout players were Eels lock Ben Golding who pushed his team forward and scored one try, and Henley’s five-eighth Ziggy Bartlett who also scored one try. Earlier that day, the Officeworks Junior League Week 15 was played with a gala style format across the age groups. In the Youth Grade Elimination Finals, Henley 22 defeated Roosters 12 in competitive game of rugby league. Henley were first on the scoreboard through winger John-Luke Boeston after some good ball movement. Roosters followed up soon after with Mikaele Mapuna diving through Henley’s line to score. With eight minutes remaining in the half, Henley winger Ethan Hammond darted around Roosters defence to give his side a 10-point lead at halftime. Trailing 16-6, Roosters came out attacking with halfback Naseem Amin scoring a minute into the second half. A successful conversion made the margin just four points, but Henley held on for the win and scored again before the final siren. Best on ground was Henley’s five-eighth Lewis Jaworski.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 03:13:05 +0000
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