Harlequins did it the hard way, but prevailed against Royals to book their place in the grand final with a 4-3 win on Saturday.
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With the odds stack against them, Royals sent shock waves through the preliminary final clash finding the net early on to take a 1-0 lead despite been under pressure from the constant attacks from Harlequins forwards in the first half.
Time and time again, Harlequins blew their opportunities as captain Brendan Watson showed signs of frustration.
Teenage Riley Makeham equalised before half-time for the green team.
Harlequins made it 2-1 early on the second half, extending the lead to two goals with 15 minutes to go before Royals rallied despite missing defender Connor Higgins to snare two quick goals.
Pat O’Donnell and Callum Clayton scored in seven minutes to draw level with 3-3.
However with the match heading for a shoot-out to decide the winner, it was the Harlequins skipper who sealed the victory scoring the crucial fourth goal for the green with two minutes left on the clock.
Royals had played their hearts out, but the seasoned and experienced Harlequins come through to book a date in the decider against Lake Albert.
LAC United are through to their first grand finals in four seasons after a 3-1 win over a spirited CSU/Rivcoll outfit.
Early on it looked like it may be decided by a shootout with CSU/Rivcoll scoring first through Emma Lynch, beating keeper Mel Rogers, before the reply from LAC United.
The match wasn’t without it heated moments as both teams lost players from the field with minor indiscretions with Chayse Holland, Katie Howard and Mel Chyb all on spending time in the middle dugout.
But the telling tale of CSU season, as they were unable to hold out for the full game with LAC United.
The match winning goals coming in the last 10 minutes to land the killer blow despite the best efforts by CSU keeper Rachel Hindi.
They are now looking to turn the tables on Royals in the grand final on Saturday.
Division 1 Men
HARLEQUINS 4 (Brendan Watson, S Whitfield, R Makeham, M White) d ROYALS 3 (P O’Donnell, C Clayton, T Cranston)
Division 1 Women
LAC UNITED 3 (J Thompson, M Baker, J Tinning) d CSU/RIVCOLL 1 (E Lynch)
Grand Finals
Division 1 Women
4.15pm – Royals v LAC United
Division 1 Men
6pm – Lake Albert v Harlequins
