The Temora Dragons League Tag team and Reserve Grade team have both qualified for next Saturday’s Group Nine Major Semi Finals at Nixon Park following their wins at Gundagai on Sunday. The League Tag’s win over the Cootamundra Bulldogs was never in doubt as they raced in six tries in their 32-0 win, while the Reserve Grade team, after leading the South City Bulls 18-6 at half-time, did their best to keep the Wagga club in the game with some sloppy football that saw the Bulls claw their way back into the game, going down 24-20 in a form slump that must be a worry for coach Chris Wallace. It took only two minutes for the Dragons to show their intentions against a team that had a rare but convincing 16-4 win over them in Round 10, scoring with some quick ball movement for Matilda Reardon to race over wide out and, with no conversion, the Dragons led 4-0. Temora’s next points came after 10 minutes, with Lilli Block scoring the first of her two tries when she sliced through the defence to touch down. Minutes later she repeated the dose when she stepped around the Bulldogs fullback and, with Emily Perrot converting both tries, after 15 minutes Temora had raced to a 16-0 lead. Matilda Reardon was next to score after the ball went “back and forth” from the 20-metre mark, but unfortunately, she was injured in scoring and played no further part in the game. With the conversion, Temora went into the half-time break with a convincing 22-0 lead. The Dragons scored two tries in the second half, with Sophie Bowley scoring both in the eighth and 19th minutes, with the second from 40 metres out following some quick ball movement. Perrot converted one of these tries, with the Dragons running out winners 32-0. The injury to Matilda Reardon is a big worry for the Dragons as she has been a consistent try scorer throughout the season and is almost certain to miss next Sunday’s Major Semi Final game against the Wagga Brothers. Points in this game came from: Temora 32: Tries M. Reardon 2, S. Bowley 2, L. Block 2; Goals E. Perrot 4/6 Cootamundra 0. The first half of the Reserve Grade game was an entertaining affair, with both teams prepared to move the ball around. Temora opened the scoring after only nine minutes, with fullback Will Dean scoring and for the first time the Dragons had possession in the Bulls’ half from 20 metres out and, with Jared McKinnon converting, it was Temora 6, South City 0. The Bulls hit back minutes later, with second-rower Trey Charles breaking the Dragons’ defence and, with the conversion, the Bulls were on equal terms at 6 all. Will Dean scored his second try after 20 minutes when he regathered a kick and raced 20 metres to score. McKinnon again converted for the Dragons to lead 12-6. With five minutes to half-time, front-rower Jeff Mel made one of his customary charges, carrying defenders over the line and, with the extras, Temora went to the break with an 18-6 lead. As well as the Dragons played in the first half, a change came over the game, with the standards dropping away the further the game went. Poor defence deep in South City’s half saw their centre Isaac Hardman score a runaway try and, with the conversion, Temora’s lead was cut to 18-10. Nicholas Bett scored midway through the half after the ball was moved wide, but the conversion attempt was waved away for Temora to lead 22-10. Poor defence, a loose carry and sloppy play saw the Bulls get back into the game with tries in the 20th and 26th minutes, firstly to centre Jordon Baker, who then repeated after some poor Dragons defence on their line. Fortunately, the Bulls were only able to convert one of these tries, which had the scoreline at 22-20 with minutes remaining. A late penalty to Temora saw McKinnon take the final score to 24-20. Points in the game came from: Temora 24: Tries W. Dean 2, J. Mel, N. Bett; Goals J. McKinnon 4 South City 20: Tries T. Charles, J. Baker, I. Hardman, C. Gladman; Goals C. Mercer 2. GROUP NINE ELIMINATION FINALS AT YOUNG First Grade: South City 34 defeated Young 6 Reserve Grade: Kangaroos 44 defeated Gundagai 16 Women’s Tackle: Young defeated Temora – forfeit Weissel Cup: Young 26 defeated Tumut 22 League Tag: Tumut 14 defeated Albury 0 QUALIFYING FINALS AT GUNDAGAI First Grade: Gundagai 34 defeated Junee 6 Reserve Grade: Temora 24 defeated South City 20 Women’s Tackle: Junee 20 defeated South City 8 Weissel Cup: Brothers 26 defeated Kangaroos 18 League Tag: Temora 32 defeated Cootamundra 0 NEXT WEEK – MAJOR SEMI FINAL AT TEMORA, SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER First Grade: Temora v Gundagai Reserve Grade: Albury v Temora Women’s Tackle: Brothers v Junee Weissel Cup: South City v Brothers League Tag: Brothers v Temora MINOR SEMI FINAL – SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER First Grade: South City v Junee Reserve Grade: South City v Kangaroos Women’s Tackle: South City v Young Weissel Cup: Kangaroos v Young League Tag: Cootamundra v Tumut
