The Woodberry Warriors, Abermain Hawks and Aberglasslyn Ants carry the Coalfields’ last hopes of premiership in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League competition.
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The Warriors and Hawks square off in the C-grade preliminary final at Lakeside Oval in Raymond Terrace on Saturday with a spot in the grand final up for grabs.
On the other side of the draw Waratah Mayfield take on Gloucester.
The Ants will look to continue their unbeaten season record when they meet Raymond Terrace in the Ladies League Tag preliminary finals at Lakeside on Saturday. University of Newcastle meet Shortland in the other preliminary final.
The Hawks, who finished minor premiers, will be favourites against the Warriors who made the preliminary with a 25-24 field-goal victory against Wallsend Maryland.
The Warriors finished second on the table but were thrashed 54-6 by Waratah Mayfield in the opening week of the finals. The Hawks got the week off courtesy of a 44-12 hammering of Gloucester in week one.
Gloucester bounced back and beat East Maitland 50-22 in last Saturday’s elimination final.
The Griffins had been in strong form and many had tipped them to overcome the Magpies.
Hawks coach Dean Peterkin said momentum was building at the right time of the year for the club but they were aware that Woodberry would be a tough opponent on Saturday.
Peterkin said the club’s 44-12 win against Gloucester in the qualifying final was among the best performances by his side all year.
He said Tim Fitzpatrick had come into the halves to replace the injured Cody Dodd at halfback and had combined outstandingly with five-eighth Shannon Harmey.
“Cody will hopefully be back for the grand final, if we get through, but given Tim and Shannon’s combination last game we may have to find another place for him in the line-up,” Peterkin said.
“It’s a good headache to have if we get through.”
Peterkin said if the Hawks get through he was confident they could match either team that advances on the other side of the draw.
“Apart from Cody we have everyone on the track and in good form,” he said.
In B-grade Dungog survived an error-ridden second half to escape with a 22-18 win against University.
Dungog meets Dudley for a spot in the grand final, with Kotara taking on Belmont South on the other side of the draw.
The grand finals will be held at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground.
All preliminary finals will be held at Lakeside Oval on Saturday. Aberglasslyn v Raymond Terrace 10am; Abermain v Woodberry 11.30am and Dungog v Dudley at 2.15pm.
