The Bega Roosters have pulled together a gutsy win over the Tathra Sea Eagles to keep their finals chances alive on Saturday afternoon.
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Both clubs will now face a must-win last round after the tri-colours rallied from a 12-10 advantage to Tathra at half-time to win 24-16.
In a bruising encounter both clubs added to their injury tallies with John Aldridge coming off early for Tathra with an ankle injury, while Dan Hyland was clutching his shoulder when he was sidelined later in the first half.
The Sea Eagles had struck first when they pushed to Bega's 10 and play went right with Josh Finucane drawing about five defenders wide before a quick step and shuffle to the left into some open air to score.
Bega repaid the favour soon after with a good push through the ruck before sending some wide cut-out passes to the right edge where Shae Gray had a good step of his own to break through and find the chalk.
Todd Ingram, who celebrated his 100th senior clash earlier this season, had a strong run out of second row, but didn't enjoy the same success with his opening conversion, fading just to the left for Bega to trail 4-6.
Play was heated throughout with a few pushes and shoves, but little more as the clubs settled into the arm wrestle through the ruck where Bega mounted some good pressure, but errors also gave Tathra possession at critical points.
The Roosters did break through later in the half with Josh Shepherdson finding the mark, the first of two for the Bega half. This time the flags stood up straight and the Roosters jumped to the front 10-6.
With only four minutes left in the half the Sea Eagles found their reply with a 40-20 kick option proving the goods to give the visitors enormous field position.
The ensuing play swept to the left and hulking centre Connor Carr made no mistakes as he barged over four defenders to find the line.
James Bower-Scott pinged the kick through the uprights for the Eagles to lead 12-10 at the break.
After some strong half-time talk in both camps, Tathra's scoring chances were restricted well by the Roosters in the second half with winger Ken Mitchell the only Eagle to find the in-goal in the second half.
However, Bega mustered two try-scoring options through Shepherdson's second and coach Scott Barton also planting a four-pointer.
Ingram's boot found the mark on both occasions and once further as the Roosters took the two to form their winning margin.
In earlier grades, Bega's reserves found a late-scoring option to extend a 20-18 lead late in the piece and finish with a 26-18 advantage.
Tathra's League-tag outfit proved too good in the women's clash, winning 30-14.
Tathra's under 18s also came up with the points after a hammering 50-10 scoreline over Bega in the under 18s.