Tayla Micallef, NSWRL
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks will meet Minor Premiers Wentworthville United in next week’s Major Semi Final for a spot in the 2024 Sydney Shield Grand Final after defeating Mounties 44-30 at St Marys Leagues Stadium today.
Penrith Brothers will come head-to-head with Mounties in Week Two of the finals after defeating the 2023 runners up St Marys Saints 58-32 at St Marys Stadium on Saturday morning.
Qualifying Final: (2nd) Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 44 def. (3rd) Mounties 30
The Hawks were on song in the opening half, scoring five tries to Mounties’ one to take their lead out to 30-6.
The opening try saw fullback Ryan Garner cross in the sixth minute followed by Neville Verevakabau in the 16th (12-0).
Holding all the momentum in the first half, Hawks continued to pile the points on through utility Ryan Joynes and wingers Raymond Mikaele and Josh Rizk – Rizk crossing for his ninth try of the season (30-0).
Mounties opened their scoring right on half time through forward Mosese Pope who crashed over the line (30-6).
Mounties started the second half the way they finished the first, scoring three quick tries in the opening six minutes of the half. Tries to winger Isaac Williams, second-rower Kaylem Falaniko and halfback Jack Stig saw Mounties only trailing by six.
The scores were levelled in the 56th minute through hooker Filemu Logai-Lusiano who broke past defence, racing down the field before throwing a dummy to race past the fullback and score (30-all).
Off the back of a handful of errors to Mounties, Hawks scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal to run away with a 44-30 win.
RESULT: Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 44(Neville Verevakabau 2, Ryan Garner 2, Ryan Joynes, Josh Rizk, Ryamond Mikaele tries; Jacob Wright 8 goals) def. Mounties 30 (Mosese Pope, Isaac Williams, Kaylem Flaniko, Jake Sitg, Filemu Logai-Lusiano tries; Kaylem Falaniko 5 goals)
Full story here.
Ryde-Eastwood Hawks 