The Souths Tigers will face off against Pittsworth this Sunday following last night’s 42-20 midweek playoff win against Gatton.
In Reserve Grade, the shoe was on the other foot for the Tigers, going down to Warwick 36-24.
Gatton Hawks v Southern Suburbs Tigers
The Souths Tigers have made it through to this year’s TRL Criterion Hotel Dalby finals series with a convincing win over the Gatton Hawks.
It was the Dwayne Duncan show for the Tigers; playing everywhere, scoring three tries and kicking five conversions – he was absolutely brilliant!
He had the ball on a string and Gatton had no answer to contain him.
Tyrell McCollough and Jacob Whittaker also played well.
Each player was a wonderful support for Duncan and their combination is crucial moving forward to the finals.
The damage was done early with Souths skipping away to a 16-0 lead after as many minutes with Duncan, McCullough and Whittaker all scoring tries.
Duncan and Whittaker scored their second tries to make it 24-4 at halftime.
In the second half, the Hawks did fight back, but Souths were equal to their task.
Both teams scored three tries each, but five tries to one in the first half hurt Gatton.
Dom Haak, Callum Woolacott and Tye Gray all tried hard for the Hawks.
While their ball control let Gatton down, Souths at times played with the Hawks defence.
The try of the match came in the 53rd minute when Gatton had got back into the game.
Woolacott kicked a long grubber deep into Tigers territory.
The Hawks chase was good, but young 18-year-old winger William Duncan beat a congressed Hawks line to race away 80m to score an inspirational four-pointer and break the back of the Gatton side.
Hawks coaches Mick Armstrong and Nikki-John Harch congratulated Souths on their effort and agreed their ball control went a long way to losing the match.
It is the first time since 2012 that Gatton have missed the TRL finals.
A GRADE: Souths 42 (Dwayne Duncan 3, Jacob Whittaker 2, Tyrell McCullough 2, Willian Duncan tries; Dwayne Duncan 5 goals) defeated Gatton 20 (Tye Gray 2, Dennis Burgoyne, Dom Haak tries; Callum Woolacott 2 goals)
WATCH: TRL Media speaking with Souths Tigers coach Daniel Holmes.
Warwick Cowboys v Southern Suburbs Tigers
In the Reserve Grade playoff for sixth, Warwick stayed ahead of Souths all night to take out the match.
Anthony McIntosh scored a hattrick for Warwick whilst Souths’ Djarwyn Burns and Tristan Passman scored doubles.
The Cowboys have somehow stayed in contention this past month and deserve to be in the finals.
They now face Valleys in the first weekend of the finals series.
RESERVE GRADE: Warwick 36 (Anthony McIntosh 3, Lance McGrady, Garth Miller, Alex Stewart. Brandon Vaughan tries; Brandon Vaughan 4 goals defeated Souths 24 (Djarwyn Burns 2, Tristan Passman 2, Jeremy Jerome tries; Chris Oliver 2 goals)
For full results, ladders and upcoming fixtures of the Toowoomba Rugby League, visit the TRL website.
