By Tallon Smith

The Yenda Blueheelers have produced a stunning upset in the Group 20 Elimination Final with a 26-20 win over West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval on Saturday afternoon.

After being at long odds to even make the top five with a month to play in the season, the boys in blue and white have produced a stunning run of results to reach the second week of the playoffs and now loom as a growing threat within the title race.

After the two sides traded tries all afternoon, a 78th minute try to West Wyalong fullback Logan Collins forced the match into extra time (of five minutes each way) after the sides were locked at 20-all at full time.

In the 85th minute, with the season on the line, Yenda’s Henry Taylor and Isaiah Little-Buerckner combined for a magical chip and chase try to give the Blueheelers a 26-20 lead.

The Blueheelers then saw off two attacking sets from West Wyalong with some strong goal line defence to hold on for the victory and book themselves a place in the second week of the finals.

Yenda Blueheelers Coach James Dole was particularly pleased with his side’s effort in overcoming the “super tough” challenge of beating the Mallee Men at home.

“It’s always been one of the hardest things, to beat them at home,” he said.

“They always play better at home, [we were] fairly heavy underdogs.

“Just getting to the finals was massive [for us].”

Dole said that he was particularly pleased with the efforts of his star players, as well as the unsung heroes of the side’s engine room. 

“[We had] massive efforts from Trey Woodland and Tom Sellars,” he said.

“The most notable one was Joe Rovere off the bench.

“That’s where we had to win, the middle.”

Now facing the prospect of a mouth-watering showdown with first week losers Leeton at home, Dole said that his side is growing in confidence and stature with each week.

“The confidence is stepping up each week,” he said.

“Now we’re coming into games confident.

“We’re confident that we can get the job done [against Leeton] if we come into it like that.”

Meanwhile, the Darlington Point Coleambally Roosters have set up a massive clash with the Griffith Black and Whites in the Major Semi Final next Sunday after defeating Leeton 38-30 in Sunday’s Qualifying Final.

After facing an ongoing battle with injury and form issues as a result across the season,the Roosters seem to be hitting their straps at the right time, and will fancy their chances after only narrowly losing to the Black and Whites in their last match up in the final round.

Joe Peato grabbed a double whilst Josh Veivers kicked five from seven to lead the Roosters to victory, whilst Beniel Qereqeretabua was again the standout for Leeton in the losing effort, crossing for yet another brace to take his tally to 21 tries for the season, seven clear of Peato and fellow DPC winger Sam Storey in joint second place on 14.

Lower Grades

In Reserve Grade, extra time was again needed to separate the Griffith Black and Whites from the TLU Sharks in the Elimination Final, with the Griffith side taking out the win 34-28 courtesy of a try to winger Dennis Kelly. 

Meanwhile, Leeton will play Minor Premiers Yenda in the Major Semi Final next weekend after a 20-10 win over West Wyalong in the Qualifying Final.

League Tag saw Yenda defeat Hay 10-6 in the Elimination Final, and the Black and Whites beat Leeton 18-14 in the Qualifying Final, whilst the Black and Whites won the Under 18s and Under 16s Qualifying Finals over Yenda (34-22) and TLU (46-16) respectively.