On a blustery day at Solar Mad Stadium, Darlington Point Coleambally were able to all but secured their place in finals with a scrappy 23-18 win over Black and Whites on Sunday.
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The Roosters were able to make a fast start as after forcing a repeat set, Jack Kelly was able to score under the post and the DPC side was able to double their lead soon after with a long kick from Josh Veivers trapping the Panthers defence in goal before Phillip Hunter crashed over.
Both sides struggled to maintain possession in a stop-start period due to penalties and loose carries before the Black and Whites were able to hit the scoreboard with Tinomana Kaue getting over, but the Roosters were able to restore their lead soon after with Robbie Simpson getting over in the corner.
Ben Jeffrey was sent to the sin bin just before halftime after a hit on Stephen Broome behind play before Veivers slotted a field goal to see his side leading 19-6 at the break.
The Black and Whites were able to get the field position in the second half, and after forcing a repeat set, George Broome was able to get over however the Roosters restored their margin with Drew Hopwood crossing.
The Panthers refused to go down without a fight and were given the opportunity to get back into the game as Broome got across for his second try of the afternoon, but it was too late with the Roosters holding on for a five-point win.
DPC coach Ben Jeffrey took positives from what was a scrappy game from both sides.
"It was a really stop-start game, and I thought we managed to play bad and still win," he said.
The ill-discipline crept into the Roosters game, and it is something he knows his side need to work on but also urged for consistency from officials.
"If it (penalty count) was the other way around we wouldn't be complaining," he said.
"I just think at times our discipline has to be a bit better, but in saying that I think there needs to be a bit more consistency. If you're going to penalise one bloke for one thing, you have to penalise the other one as well, but they (referees) are doing a job for us, and if they aren't there we don't get to play."
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
