Illawarriors Book Cup Final Berth Against Hunter

Illawarra Mercury

Monday March 17, 2008

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

THE Illawarriors advanced to the Caldwell Cup final with a gritty 12-0 win over Central West in Parkes on Saturday.

A 4pm kick-off on a day the mercury hit 36 degrees tested both teams.

But with a chance to play at the Sydney Football Stadium, as the curtain raiser before the Waratahs Super 14 match against Cheetahs, on the line the Illawarriors turned in a fine performance.

Halfback Mark Tarasenko and flanker Gavin Holder scored the tries for the visitors, while Jacob Hurst added a conversion.

Illawarra coach Sean Barrett was delighted with the way his players handled both the conditions and their opponents.

"The players were up to it. It was all about the mentality we had," he said.

"We had to not think about the final, just about winning our game."

The Illawarriors were under plenty of pressure in the first 20 minutes, but were let off the hook when the hosts missed three relatively easy penalty goal attempts.

Tarasenko and Holder then crossed for five-pointers before joining their team-mates in not allowing Central West to score a point in the second half.

Central West dominated the line-outs and played a tight mauling game, but strong defence from the Illawarriors kept them out.

Barrett was delighted to have reached the decider.

"It has been a short program, but this (the final) was obviously the goal," he said.

After beating Central West, the Illawarriors had a nervous wait before having their spot in the final confirmed.

Three-time defending champions Central Coast needed just one bonus point to finish above the Illawarriors, but failed to get it in a 34-19 loss to Hunter - who topped the standings and booked their spot in the final.

Barrett said Scott Morgan (shoulder) and Paul Tausala (sternum) were the main injury concerns heading into the Cup final.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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