Laurie Daley Cup 2021 final: Greater Northern Tigers through to grand final after win over Western

The under 18s side rebounded from a 20-10 last round loss to the Rams to claim a 16-10 win in the Country Championships semi-final.

"It was a pretty tough game," coach Darryl Rando said.

"Both sides were pretty solid in defence. We could have played a bit smarter in the second half but the first half was great. I think we played our best football all year in that first half."

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The Tigers led 12-nil after 16 minutes after tries to props Mark Simon and Jake Clydesdale were converted by fullback and captain Mitch Henderson.

The Rams hit back early in the second half when winger Tobias Miller scored a converted try but the Tigers responded well with centre Blake Johnston crossing for an unconverted try in the 52nd minute.

When Rams winger Darcy Leadbitter scored in the 59th minute it guaranteed a nervy finish for the visiting Tigers.

Added to that excitement was the sin-binning of rival props Mark Simon and Mana Dermott three minutes from full-time after another blowup between the enthusiastic and determined sides.

Simon and fellow prop Clydsdale were both outstanding as well as lock Sam Fechner.

Fechner's determination was highlighted when he made three hard-hitting tackles in the one set.

The third on forces a dropped ball from the opposition.

Five-eighth Ethan Antzakles and ever-dangerous fullback Henderson also starred - Henderson's footwork and elusive running another feature.

"Everyone played well, though," Rando added.

"Everyone had to, if you don't - you don't win those games."

Rando believes the side is a big chance of beating the Central Coast Roosters in this weekend's Laurie Daley Cup grand final.

Central Coast beat the Monaro Colts 12-6 in the other semi-final to set up the Tigers-Roosters grand final.

The Roosters beat the Tigers 22-4 in an earlier Country Championships round.

"I think we can beat them if we play like we did in the first half," Rando said.

"They beat us 22-4 in the wet, it was torrential and we weren't good."

He thinks Scone would be a good venue for the Laurie Caley Cup grand final, too, given the horrendous wet weather predicted for the coastal areas over the next week.

"Scone would be good for both sides, central for both us and the Central Coast," he said.

Scone, Muswellbrook or Singleton would also provide good, dry central venues for both Greater Northern and Central Coast.

GREATER NORTHERN TIGERS 16 (Mark Simon, Jake Clydsdale, Blake Johnston tries, Mitch Henderson 2gls) d WESTERN RAMS 10 (Tobias Miller, Darcy Leadbitter tries, Braye Porter gl)

CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS 12 (Tyler Moriarty 2 tries, Jessi O'Neill-Pethebridge 2gls) d MONARO COLTS 6 (Joshua Latham try, Mitchell Evans gl)

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