Cessnock exacted revenge of sorts on Kurri Kurri for taking the fifth finals spot with a 44-16 hammering at Cessnock Sportsground.
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The Goannas, in coach Dan Smailes’ last game at the helm, jumped the Bulldogs to take a 22-0 lead into the half-time break and while Kurri fought back in the second-half Cessnock had all the answers.
The win gives Cessnock a clean sweep against their fierce Coalfields rival in their two games this season.
But the Bulldogs have the consolation that all four grades have qualified for the semi-finals.
The Goannas had eight individual try scorers, with Ben Mendyk kicking five and Sam Apthorpe kicking one to go with his try.
The Bulldogs had been playing for the chance to host the elimination semi-final against Lakes United on Saturday.
Lakes were narrow 30-32 losers to Wests, after leading Wests 24-10 at half-time, but remain in fourth.
“We were simply outplayed by Cessnock,” Bulldogs coach Phil Williams said.
“The one positive to come out of the game is that we play next week.
“Our defence was poor and our attitude to defence was poor.
“Cessnock took all their opportunities and we didn’t take ours.
“But at the end of today, we are in the same position we were in the morning. We are playing Lakes in the semi-final at Lakes.
“We need to lift our intensity across the field against Lakes, but we have shown we can beat them.”
The Newcastle Rugby League confirmed Lakes United will host the elimination final against Kurri Kurri on Saturday.
South Newcastle will host Western Suburbs on Sunday at Townson Oval.
Macquarie Scorpions have the first week of the finals off after claiming the minor premiership despite losing 24-22 to Souths.
In an exciting finishing to the regular season in lower grades, Kurri Kurri’s reserve grade team jumped Macquarie on the ladder to finish fourth. The two teams play in the elimination final.
In Open Grade, the Bulldogs, who entered the round in fourth, jumped to second after results fell their way.
Macquarie Scorpions slipped to fourth from second and Lakes United move to third and will play Kurri in the qualifying final.
In the under 19s, Kurri and Cessnock will face each other for the second week in a row in the elimination final. The venues are to be announced.
FIRST GRADE: Cessnock 44 def Kurri Kurri 16
Cessnock Scorers - C Pyne, B Williams, J Dimmock, K Barber, M Filipo, S Apthorpe, Z Dunstan, D Metcalf. Goals - B Mendyk 5, S Apthorpe 1.
Kurri Kurri Scorers - T Dow-Nikau, J Harrison, H Grainger. Goals - K Hardy.
RESERVE GRADE: Kurri Kurri 22 def Cessnock 6
OPEN AGE: Kurri Kurri 56 def Cessnock 12
U-19: Cessnock 32 def Kurri Kurri 24
ELIMINATION SEMI FINAL
CAHILL OVAL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
3pm First Grade: Lakes United v Kurri Kurri
1.30pm Reserve Grade: Kurri Kurri v Macquarie
Noon Open Grade: Macquarie v Maitland
10.45am Under 19’s: Cessnock v Kurri Kurri
QUALIFYING SEMI FINAL
TOWNSON OVAL
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
3pm First Grade: South Newcastle v Western Suburbs
1.30pm Reserve Grade: Western Suburbs v South Newcastle
Noon Open Grade: Kurri Kurri v Lakes United
10.45am Under 19’s: South Newcastle v Central Newcastle