The Monaro Colts are through to the SLE Laurie Daley Cup Grand Final after defeating the NMR Knights 34-30 in a nail-biter, while the Andrew Johns Cup side's campaign came to an end after a gallant effort on Saturday afternoon.
SLE Laurie Daley Cup
Monaro Colts 34 d NMR Knights 30
The Monaro Colts have clinched a Grand Final spot in the Laurie Daley Cup after downing the Knights at Morry Breen Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Colts had the perfect start with five-eighth Blake Hovi scoring in the first minute to put Monaro in-front six-nil.
Monaro carried all the momentum into the half time break, after four-pointers to Tui Georgievski, Mathais Tomuli Ah-Kuoi and Jayden Wolfe to lead 22-6.
The Knights had to strike early to stay in the contest and did just that, as lock-forward Harper Collins crossed for an early second-half double to cut the lead to 22-16.
The Colts hit straight back with two tries in five minutes through Cooper Ferris and Xavier Cacciotti to extend their lead to to ten points.
A late four-pointer to Khynan Butler brought the Knights to within a try but the Colts held on to book tickets to the Laurie Daley Cup Grand Final.
Monaro will take on the Illawarra South Coast Dragons at 12:15pm, this Saturday at Woy Woy Oval.
SLE Andrew Johns Cup
NMR Knights 24 d Monaro Colts 16
The Newcastle Maitland Region Knights are through to the Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final after their comeback win over the Monaro Colts on Saturday afternoon.
The Colts had a dominant first half performance, leading 16-4 at the break after tries to Byron Cahill, Jet Millard and Malachi Tomlinson.
But that was the last the Colts would see of the try-line as the Knights piled on four unanswered tries to comeback and steal the win from the Monaro side.
A second-half double to Knights five-eighth Jaylan Bishop carried incredible momentum into the final ten minutes for the Knights to hold on for the win.
However, the Colts can be proud of their efforts in the Andrew Johns Cup competition and can individually take plenty of experience back to their respective clubs for the 2023 season.
Photo by Trish Sullivan
