The game had it all befitting of a fight to the death for a place in the Group 16 First Grade Grand Final against Tathra.
The Preliminary Final between Merimbula Pambula and Bega at Batemans Bay yesterday afternoon included an injured referee who needed replacing in the first half, a penalty try and a 16-point second half turnaround.
Bega jumped out to a 32-10 lead after 50 minutes including a penalty try just before half time when halfback Rhys Djerke was tackled without the ball after a kick ahead with an open try-line in front of him.
But the minor premiers staged a comeback only to fall a converted try short to level things up.
The Roosters were left crowing at fulltime stopping the Minor Premiers from appearing in their second consecutive decider 32-26.
Grand Final bound hooker Lachy Marks said he wasn’t surprised to see the Bulldogs stage a second half fightback.
“Merimbula always come back. You just can’t let em go,” he said.
Co-Captain Coach Zac Saddler echoed those sentiments.
“They’re definately the best side all year mate only getting beaten once in the regular season but even at half time when we had the lead we knew that she was gunna be on for young and old,” he said.
“Our boys are probably not as as skillful or as big but we definitely make up in that with heart.
“We just dug in. We knew what we had to do and and ended up getting it done so it was a good result.”
