The Laurieton Stingrays booked a place in the 2019 Hastings League grand final with a strong win over the South West Rocks Marlins on Saturday.
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The Marlins will now take on the Beechwood Shamraocks who scored a miracle win to send the Kendall Blues packing from the Hastings League semi final series.
The fantastic weather helped boost the crowd at the semi final games and the Hastings League says it is looking forward to another successful crowd at this weekend's matches.
In a stunning come-from-behind-win, Kendall led 20-6 in the second half only for the Shamrocks to storm home for the memorable victory.
The Blues opened the scoring with a try to Kenny Young in the corner, to lead 4-0.
At the 18th minute mark, the Shamrocks hit back through a great try by Lucas Flanagan off a great pass from brother Jake.
Max Ward booted the conversion for a 6-4 lead.
The Blues hit straight back with Tamati Wigman scoring leaving Kendall back in fronbt 8-6.
That lead stretched to 14-6 when Mathew Hensley scored in the corner and Jack Chapman booted the sideline convervsion as the side's went to the half time break.
Eight minutes after the resumption, Daniel Minns scored next to the post and Chapman made no mistake with the simple conversion.
Kendall were suddenly leading 20 to 6 and Beechwood looked completely out of the contest.
With 18 minutes remaining in the contest, the tide started to turn for the Shamrocks.
Blake Reis got the Beechwood back on track with a stirring try and when Max Ward landed the conversion leaving the score 20 to 12.
Four minutes later and the Shamrocks continued to roll through the Kendall side with Matt Styles crossing wide out to close the gape to 20 to 16.
The miracle comeback continued and a stirring finish at the crowd roaring for the Shamrocks.
With the clock ticking down, Lucas Flanagan scored a great try to level the scores at 20-all.
Ward calmly potted the conversion to push the Shamrocks into the lead at 22-20 for the first time in the contest.
Despite a tense few minutes, Beechwood were able to keep the Blues at bay to record a memorable victory.
Stingrays winners
In the major semi final, the Stingrays jumped to an early 12-0 lead with tries to Tommy Maguire and Kieren Roberts. Kieren Ford landed both conversion attempts.
SWR hit back when Josh Trindall scored at the 18th minute mark.
Both sides looked for the upper hand but the Stingrays led 12-4 at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half and Lleyton Winter scored out wide to stretch the Stingrays' lead to 16-4.
But Curtly Scott got the Marlins back in the contest when he scored in the corner. That left the score at 16-8.
With time running down, Winter scored his second try of the afternoon and the Stingrays wrapped up the contest when Ford landed the sideline conversion.
The final score Laurieton 22 defeated South West Rocks Marlins 8.
In the ladies semi final played earlier in the day, Beechwood 30 defeated Lower Macleay 8. The Ladies Beechwood side now progress to the grand final.
This week:
Ladies: 3pm South West Rocks v Lower Macleay with the winner to take on Beechwood in the grand final.
Men: 4.30pm South West Rocks Marlins v Beechwood Shamrocks with the winner to take on Laurieton Stingrays in the grand final.
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