With their season on the line, the Blues drew level midway through the second half before two late tries sealed their fate.

Southcity were on top during the first half, and went into the break up 18-6, but Tumut fired early in the second half to quickly reel in their advantage at Twickenham.

Captain-coach Kyle McCarthy was pleased with how his side responded to being put under pressure in the second half.

“They had everything to play for and were tough the whole game,” McCarthy said.

“It wasn’t the ideal start to the second half, we were pretty lackadaisy at times with errors and poor defensive reads but we ground back which is the most pleasing thing.

“When it got tough we found a way to get back in it and come over the top of them at the end, which is good.”

Southcity looked the better side during the first half and jumped out to a 12-0 lead after 12 minutes but the Blues were found a way back into the contest.

Both teams had players sin-binned in the first half, but neither team took a real advantage.

Co-coach Dean Bristow scored two minutes into the second half before Josh Webb crossed in the corner eight minutes later to get within two points.

Southcity hit back when a lovely ball from the returned Pani Manawatu put Mitch Curran over but Tumut were down with yet.

Adam Pearce scored almost immediately before a penalty goal from Bristow levelled things.

However Southcity had plenty of possession in the last 15 minutes and Rose was able to crack the Blues defence with nine to play before Steven Tracey sealed the 34-24 win.

It sets up a clash with Brothers at Harris Park on Saturday for a place in the grand final.

Southcity went into the clash down on troops.

While Manawatu and Mitch Curran were back, Jack Lyons, Jake Dooley and Josh Cochrane all missed the game.

Dooley remains in doubt to tackle Brothers but the Bulls should have the rest of their players back on deck including Jordan Shepherd.

Zac Masters was sinbinned after 10 minutes and while Usaia O’Sullivan followed later in the half the Blues also had Ben Roddy draw Brad Hart’s ire late in the second half.

Pearce didn’t think it helped their cause as they finished the season in sixth, three points outside a finals position.

“I thought we dug deep all game with a lack of possession,” Pearce said. “The defence was there, and the attack in the second half, but we were pretty gassed (at the end) with a few sin-binnings and being low of troops.”

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