Three quality second-half tries allowed PCYC to beat a gallant South Dubbo Raiders side and tie up third place in the Dubbo under-16s competition on Saturday at Apex Oval.
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Led by outstanding five-eighth Kieran Cubby, PCYC got up 22-16 but not without a strong effort from the Raiders that suggests we are in for some great football in this division during the final series.
In the other under-16s games played on Saturday minor premiers Narromine Jets won 28-20 against second-placed St John’s while Nyngan got up 54-11 over Wellington.
The stage is now set for the finals starting this Saturday at Apex Oval.
This will be the first time a five-team series has been played and officials are looking forward to four exciting weeks of football.
With Narromine safely into the major semi-final on August 22, the major preliminary semi-final this Saturday at Apex Oval will see St John’s against PCYC at 3.30pm and Nyngan and South Dubbo in the elimination semi-final at 2pm.
Narromine gained 26 points for the season, followed by St John’s 22, PCYC 21, Nyngan 16 and Souths 11 with Wellington on 0.
To their credit the Raiders were far from disappointing despite finishing behind on the score board against PCYC.
They were first to score when Jackson Merritt crossed but PCYC hit back almost immediately when the ball went into touch on the restart and in the next set Nathan Ryan scored in the right corner for PCYC. Corey Cox converted from the sideline and they led 6-4.
It was Jackson Merritt who put Souths in front for the second time with his second try. Although he is still feeling his way after being sidelined with a broken foot, the tall athletic prop was proving to be hard to pull down, especially when he was close to the line.
On this occasion the PCYC defence couldn’t hold him out and with Mason William’s conversion the Raiders led 10-6 at half-time.
Sadly for the Raiders they were having trouble with high balls and another fumble saw PCYC dominate possession and Corey Cox found himself in space to score in an easy position for his own conversion and a 12-10 lead.
PCYC went further ahead with a Kieran Merritt try in the right corner but again the Raiders bounced back with Mason in under the posts. After converting his own try the game was locked up 16-all.
Not long after, Cox scored his second try and the match winner after Cubby split the defence with a run from near his own line. In the same set Cox found himself with the overlap and that was the end of the section for the Raiders.
PCYC coach Len Powyer was disappointed with the execution of his side’s attack on Saturday but is confident of improvement, while Souths coach Michael Perry is looking to have a couple of injured players back this week, and will also be competitive.
