The Balmain Tigers are through to the SG Ball Grand Final after a come from behind 24-16 win over the Parramatta Eels at St Mary's Leagues Stadium.
Trailing 16-4 after 45 minutes, Balmain managed to score 20 unanswered points to book themselves a spot in the decider against Penrith next weekend.
It was a tough opening 20 minutes, with both sides desperately trying to open the scoring but strong defence kept the scoreboard unchanged.
Parramatta finally opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a try to winger John Fomai. Nathan Davis landed the goal from the sideline and the Eels were in front 6-0.
The Eels then managed to extend their lead out to 10-0 after centre Tui Oloapu went over close to the line.
Scores remained the same going into half time; with Parramatta having a slight advantage over the Matthew Head coached Balmain side.
However it wasnt long into the second stanza before the Tigers got on the scoreboard, with replacement hooker Adam Spicer beating three defenders to make the score 10-4.
Parramatta were quick to hit back though, with Nathan Davis regathering a cross-field kick to score just minutes later. Davis converted his own try to extend the Eels lead to 16-4 after 45 minutes.
Balmain centre Tom Satterthwaite then showed great speed to beat the Eels defenders down the left touchline, narrowing the deficit to 16-8 after 49 minutes.
Matthew Woods followed up a solid performance in the first half with a try in the second, barging his way over and using great strength to get the ball down.
Jeremy Marshall-King converted the try, narrowing the deficit to 16-14 with 17 minutes remaining in the game.
Satterthwaite was at it again, this time scoring a great individual try after grubbering behind the line and putting Balmain in the lead 20-16 with 11 minutes remaining.
In a thrilling final ten minutes, the Eels came close to regaining the lead before Tigers winger Jayden Wheelhouse scored a miraculous try to put the game out of reach for Parramatta.
Stong performances by Woods, Satterthwaite and lock-forward Peter Taauso helped get Balmain book their place against Penrith in the SG Ball Grand Final next weekend.
Trailing 16-4 after 45 minutes, Balmain managed to score 20 unanswered points to book themselves a spot in the decider against Penrith next weekend.
It was a tough opening 20 minutes, with both sides desperately trying to open the scoring but strong defence kept the scoreboard unchanged.
Parramatta finally opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a try to winger John Fomai. Nathan Davis landed the goal from the sideline and the Eels were in front 6-0.
The Eels then managed to extend their lead out to 10-0 after centre Tui Oloapu went over close to the line.
Scores remained the same going into half time; with Parramatta having a slight advantage over the Matthew Head coached Balmain side.
However it wasnt long into the second stanza before the Tigers got on the scoreboard, with replacement hooker Adam Spicer beating three defenders to make the score 10-4.
Parramatta were quick to hit back though, with Nathan Davis regathering a cross-field kick to score just minutes later. Davis converted his own try to extend the Eels lead to 16-4 after 45 minutes.
Balmain centre Tom Satterthwaite then showed great speed to beat the Eels defenders down the left touchline, narrowing the deficit to 16-8 after 49 minutes.
Matthew Woods followed up a solid performance in the first half with a try in the second, barging his way over and using great strength to get the ball down.
Jeremy Marshall-King converted the try, narrowing the deficit to 16-14 with 17 minutes remaining in the game.
Satterthwaite was at it again, this time scoring a great individual try after grubbering behind the line and putting Balmain in the lead 20-16 with 11 minutes remaining.
In a thrilling final ten minutes, the Eels came close to regaining the lead before Tigers winger Jayden Wheelhouse scored a miraculous try to put the game out of reach for Parramatta.
Stong performances by Woods, Satterthwaite and lock-forward Peter Taauso helped get Balmain book their place against Penrith in the SG Ball Grand Final next weekend.
