The last time Raymond Terrace entered the elimination rounds, they were battered out of contention with a 14-0 mauling by Hamilton. This time around, their new-look fast paced dodgeball has secured them a move into the next round, and a rematch against the defending champions. The Terrace’s tempo was a key concern for Cooks Hill heading into the quarter final match-up, and it proved to be the catalyst for one of Raymond Terrace’s most historic victories. The Cookers found themselves flagging early in the second half, after a 4-3 scoreline to the eventual winners at half-time spoke of a close tail end to the contest. It was anything but close in the second stanza however, as the Terrace surged to a 6-set lead, keeping Cooks Hill to just a single set and confirming their finals victory. In the other quarter-final on Thursday evening, Belmont moved into the last four clubs with a 9-3 win over Rutherford. After struggling in seasons past to make the elimination finals, the southern club will be eager to confirm a deep run into the playoffs, and their routine win over their northern opponents is a strong first step. The six-set win was also notable as the club have been absent key catcher Gorgia Watkins (knee) and forward Liam Janczuk (one-week layoff), both of whom have been crucial to early-season success. With both Watkins and Janczuk set to return next week against Waratah in the semifinals, Belmont find themselves in a strong position to potentially make their first ever grand final. The final four match-up will also be the key to separating the two high-flying clubs. Their first meeting in round four saw Waratah pip Belmont in a 6-5 thriller, before the two teams shared the spoils 6-all four weeks later. Their final clash saw Belmont switch the record with an 8-2 upset, a result the third-seed squad will be eager to repeat in the final set before the final. In the other semifinal, Hamilton will look to continue their lopsided record against the Terrace – in nineteen meetings between the two clubs Hamilton have yet to taste defeat. Despite the results all falling to Hamilton in season ten, improvement was clear for Raymond Terrace, as their first clash this year finished 13-0, while their second two came down to the wire in two cagey 6-5 affairs. After downing Cooks Hill in their first finals upset, the Terrace may have momentum on their side against the four-time champions, a factor Hamilton will have to combat if they are to return to their fifth consecutive grand final. Comments are closed.
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S13
RD1: Fast-starting Waratah launch new campaign in style (02/08)
PRESEASON: Season 13's draw & key fixtures revealed (26/07/19) S12
Finals: Scotchies clinch first title with rampage over Belmont (21/06)
RD14: Shortland, Hamilton lead top seeds heading into playoffs (07/06) RD13: Glendale stun Belmont 7-3 to climb out of cellar (31/05) RD12: Jesmond bundle up Waratah to set race for top four alight (24/05) RD11: Beavers back on track with win over the Kings (17/05) RD10: Terrace back in the winner's circle with Hamilton upset (10/05) RD9: Belmont and Waratah locked at standstill (03/05) RD8: Stags down 'Tahs in grudge match battle for third (19/04) RD7: Belmont bounce back with spoiler win against Kotara (12/04) RD6: Scotches wave away Belmont bid to stay top (05/04) RD5: Waratah right season with Raccoons win (29/03) RD4: Shortland stay undefeated with fourth win (22/03) RD3: Hamilton claim revenge in grand final rematch (15/03) RD2: Bar Beach hold off Glendale to bag first win (08/03) RD1: Waratah sweep aside arch-rivals with major margin (01/03) PRESEASON: Season 12's draw & key fixtures revealed (08/02/19) PRESEASON: Rego now open for NDL Season 12. (01/02/18) S11
GF: Belmont edge out Hamilton in two-set grand final epic (16/11)
FINALS: Hamilton and Belmont set up grand final rematch (9/11) RD14: Waratah down Belmont in heated one-set thriller (2/11) RD13: Shortland oust Hamilton from first with one to go (26/10) RD12: Belmont upset Hamilton to blow first place race open (19/10) RD11: Shortland take second after thriller against Belmont (12/10/18) RD10: Waratah tumble into fourth place after slow start (5/10/18) RD9: Top four teams hold off finals-hopefuls (28/09/18) RD8: Hamilton claim first as league celebrates Ladies Day (21/09/18) RD7: Shortland and Kotara clash goes down to the wire (14/09/18) RD6: Waratah keep close on Hamilton's heels (07/09/18) RD5: Hamilton prevail in grand final rematch (30/08/18) RD4: Belmont tumble into ladder mix with defeat (24/08/18) RD3: Waratah cuts Shortland's undefeated streak short (17/08/18) RD2: Shortland break Terrace to continue strong start (10/08/18) RD1: Waratah open account against long-standing rivals (03/08/18) PRESEASON: Season 11's draw & key fixtures revealed (19/07/18) PRESEASON: Registrations now open for NDL Season 11. (13/07/18) SEASON 10GF: Hamilton extend dynasty with fifth championship (06/07/18)
SF: Belmont punch ticket to season decider with comeback (29/06/18) QF: Raymond Terrace scores maiden finals victory (22/06/18) RD15: Waratah confirm second place, first week bye (15/06/18) RD14: Waratah steady the ship with key three-set win (08/06/18) RD13: Belmont ensures the Waratah slide continues (01/06/18) RD12: Cooks Hill and Belmont remain level with draw (25/05/18) RD11: Waratah lose sight of first place after defeat (18/05/18) RD10: Raymond Terrace shock Cookers in sudden death (11/05/18) RD9: Cookers drop 'Tahs to second with 6-5 slug-fest (04/05/18) RD8: Hamilton take revenge in Battle of Oakdale (27/04/18) RD7: Bailey best on field as 'Tahs in cruise-control (20/04/18) RD6: Waratah break three-year hoodoo over old rivals (13/04/18) RD5: Hamilton reclaim first place with 13-0 masterclass (06/04/18) RD4: League's closest round sees 'Tahs take top spot (23/03/18) RD3: Cooks Hill record first point with 5-5 draw (16/03/18) RD2: Sudden-death deciders see Hamilton pip Belmont (09/03/18) RD1: Waratah-Hamilton classic ends in 6-all draw (02/03/18) |