Group 20 rugby league
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THE last remaining Bidgee Hurricanes team has crashed out of premiership contention with what was described as its worst finals performance this year.
Having come from fifth and charged into serious title consideration, the 'Canes under 18s went out with a whimper, going down 44-14 to Waratah Tigers in Sunday's preliminary final.
Senior coach Simon Watson, who has provided support to 18s coach Daniel Johnson in the post season, said the side simply didn't show up.
"I'm not going to take anything away form Waratahs, but it was the worst performance (we) have put in for the last six weeks," Watson said.
"It is disappointing considering there was only one game to go to the grand final.
"It was pretty even 10 minutes into it, it looked like Waratahs weren't into it either.
"All of a sudden they scored a try and kept on scoring. Their big guys would make a few yards and they were hard to stop.
"Out of the three games, it was probably 80 per cent (performance), 90 per cent and 50 per cent. It was pretty poor.
"It honestly looked like they didn't want to be there."
With a number of teammates failing to fire, Mitchell White put in a good game, along with Steven Burrows and front rower James Rapley, who had a good finals series overall.
"Mitch White made good yards around the ruck, but it was only a couple of them doing it," Watson said.
Group 20 preliminary finals results
First grade
Waratah Tigers 34 (tries - Johnny Teleaga 2, Graham Levu, Sosaia Finefeuiaki, David Rauluni, Michael Iapo, Moahoni Lelei, Fili Fili; con - Luke Farmer) d Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United 10 ( tries - Jarrod Cahill, Sam Mcauley; con - Jaden Kelly)
Reserve grade
Black & White Panthers 28 (tries - Simon McClure, Nathan Brand, Ben Mahon, Peni Balenausori; cons - Simon McClure 6) d Tullibigeal-Lake Cargelligo United 10 (tries - Lachlan Jenkins, Dane Ridley; con - Harry Cromelin)
League tag
West Wyalong 14 (tries - Caitlin Kelly 2, Breanna Kelly; con - Amanda Burgen) d Black & White Panthers 8 (try - Shailyn Williams; con - Shailyn Williams; pen - Roslyn Simpson)
Under 18s
Waratah Tigers 44 (tries - James Perlowski 2, Cody Parsons, Ben Vearing, Andrew Fidow, Mitch Monaghan, Semi Tafili, Caleb Williams; cons - Cody Parsons 6) d Bidgee Hurricanes 14 (tries - Mitchell White, Jordon Burley; cons - Mitchell White 2; pen - Mitchel White)
Under 16s
Darlington Point-Coleambally 28 (tries - Blake Schaeffer 3, Kane Simpson, Josh Boag; Cameron Powell 4) d Waratah Tigers 14 (tries - Aistin Fidow, Iai
Taupeamuhu, Mathew Dritti; con - Jamie Blunden)
Grand final draw
EW Moore Oval, Griffith
Sunday
9.30am: Under 16s - Yenda v Darlington Point-Coleambally
11am: Under 18s - Leeton v Waratah Tigers
12.40pm: League tag - Leeton v West Wyalong
1.45pm: Reserve grade - West Wyalong v Griffith Black & White Panthers
3.20pm: First grade - West Wyalong v Waratah Tigers