Big win seals TRAC's return to Hardy Shield semi-finals

After a draw with Mount Austin High last week left them needing to down Wagga High School by at least 17 points to advance, TRAC dominated for the majority of the clash at Parramore Park on Monday.

Coach Anthony Heffer was pleased with how they kept fighting to take a 28-4 victory.

"It's been a few years for TRAC so I'm really pleased for the boys that they've taken an opportunity to get into the third week," Heffer said.

Jack Lloyd was a stand out for TRAC in the second.

Not only did he cross for three tries in the win but also led the way defensively with his textbook tackling helping TRAC stay on top.

"His attitude and effort was outstanding," Heffer said.

"He's a really quality player and he's a really quality kid.

"We've got two captains and Tom (Fitzgerald) is more talkative while Jack purely leads by example and he really inspires all the other guys.

"He's one of those blokes you really want to play alongside with."

TRAC opened the scoring as Gerard Okeranyang crashed over in the opening set.

However Wagga High back through Tyler Edwards responded.

Lloyd then crossed for his first before Dylan Edwards scored the first of his double to hand TRAC at 14-4 lead at half-time.

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TRAC kept firing as a lovely ball from Sam McNaughton put Lloyd over for his second.

McNaughton provided Lloyd with his hat-trick as he turned a bad pass into the try that took TRAC ahead of Mt Austin's points difference.

Lloyd was able to scoop up McNaughton's kick to score before Edwards sealed the result with his second.

TRAC will now tackle Kooringal High School for a place in the final after the premiers fell well short of Kildare Catholic College to conclude Pool A.

It was a tight first half before Kildare really blew out the scoreline with a number of long range efforts to take a 32-10 win.

Joel Tracey got Kooringal on the board before tries to Patrick Ryan and Sam Emery in the final seven minutes of the half handed Kildare a 10-6 advantage at half-time.

Jack Flanagan then powered through the Kooringal defence before running 50 metres to score.

Kildare then took advantage of Joseph Oti being sin binned with three tries in their next three sets, two from their own half.

Coach Matthew Conn was pleased to stay unbeaten.

"The first half really set it up but it was a big defensive effort in the second half too," Conn said.

"It was very hard for Kooringal to do anything without the ball as we had it for long periods of time and that reflected on the scoreboard.

"It was pretty much what they did for us in the last game of last year."

Oti came back on late to score a consolation try for Kooringal.

However they will need to bounce back quickly in Monday's semi-finals.

Winless Mater Dei Catholic College will tackle Kildare for the other grand final berth.

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