RUGBY LEAGUE
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The East Maitland Griffins have set up a qualifying semi-final preview with Belmont Souths this weekend following a hard-fought 30-26 win against West Wallsend.
The Griffins ensured they would finish in the top three of the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League
A-grade competition after accounting for the fourth-placed Magpies at Les Wakeman Oval on Saturday.
The crucial victory means the Griffins now tackle Belmont Souths in successive weeks, first at home on Sunday in the final round before backing up six days later in the opening week of play-offs at Raymond Terrace on August 24.
This situation, and a valuable two bites at the premiership cherry, came about courtesy of five converted tries scored by the Griffins on Saturday.
Doubles to Griffins captain-coach Luke Mercer and centre Kyle Wolcher were aided by a four-pointer to fullback Brad Nichols while halfback Nathan Evans kicked five goals.
In B-grade the result of another tight encounter went the other way for Paterson River, going down 36-30 to Fingal Bay at Paterson Showground on Saturday despite replacement Jarrod Smith crossing for two tries.
There is a good chance both clubs will meet again in the elimination semi-final at Lakeside Sporting Complex on Saturday week, based on their standings on the ladder.
At the other end of the B-grade spectrum the Raymond Terrace Magpies went within a whisker of their second win of the season.
Only a solitary point came between the Magpies and Waratah Mayfield, with the Cheetahs triumphing 30-29 at Lakeside on Saturday.
A field goal to Magpies halfback Robert Chaffey looked to have been the difference but the visitors struck back late in the game.
In C-grade Hinton were the only Maitland district team to record a win from the weekend’s four encounters with Abermain, Woodberry and Dungog all beaten.
Hinton defeated Stroud 24-20 at home on Sunday while 24 hours earlier Abermain were downed 32-20 by Kotara away, Dungog finished short against Gateshead (28-16) on the road and four tries to Warriors fullback Ben Rose wasn’t enough to get Woodberry home against Newcastle University (36-28) at Fred Harvey Oval.
And in D-grade Thornton gave up their competition lead to Carrington after an upset 26-22 loss to Karuah away on Saturday.
On the other hand Carrington thumped West Maitland 68-10 on Sunday while last-placed Clarence Town scored a morale-boosting 34-24 win against Swansea at home on Sunday.