RUGBY LEAGUE
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Thornton Beresfield booked their place in the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League D-grade grand final with a commanding 38-22 win over Gloucester.
The Bears had edged past Gloucester 28-22 in the qualifying final a fortnight ago and were again the better side in the final at Waratah Oval with seven tries on Saturday.
Winger Brad Reynolds poured in 14 points through a try and five conversions and fullback Zac Deal was also integral with three four-pointers.
Donell Te Kuru crossed for two tries and lock Corey Randall also got on the score sheet with a try.
The win sets up a grand final showdown with Carrington at Harker Oval on Saturday morning.
The decider will continue a growing rivalry between the two sides after Carrington defeated the Bears 30-6 in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.
It was Carrington who also claimed the minor premiership decider with a 28-20 win over the Bears in the final round of the regular season.
Thornton Beresfield president Peter Martin was confident that the club could reverse their recent run of results against Carrington.
“We’re all going down there on Saturday hoping to get the job done,” he said.
“But win, lose or draw we’ll walk away knowing we’ve given 110 per cent this season, it has been a big achievement to have finished second (in the regular season).”
In A-grade the East Maitland Griffins’ season ended with a 62-18 hiding at the hands of Belmont Souths.
Fullback Kyle Wilcher, halfback Luke Carmody and second-rower Larry Taufua all crossed for tries in the loss, and Shaun Skuthorpe converted all three tries.
Morriset advanced to the B-grade grand final with a 30-6 win over Fingal Bay and Gateshead progressed to the C-grade grand final with a 28-26 win over Newcastle University.
Deciders in all four grades will be held at Harker Oval this Saturday.