Easts Tigers eliminated the Norths Devils in a game that went down to the wire at Bishop Park, while the Sunshine Coast Falcons suffered a shock loss at home in week one of the Intrust Super Cup finals.
Easts Tigers d Norths Devils 24-20
Easts Tigers elimination final win hinged on two bouncing kicks.
The first kick sat up and landed in the hands of Marion Seve, who dashed 50 metres to level the scores in the 56th minute.
The next was a fifth-tackle kick Easts took in their own half and passed for a superb 70th minute try to Sam Lavea to seal the win - the Tigers first in 8 weeks.
Seve scored a double and Tom Eisenhuth played a blinder, crossing for a try and making 40 tackles.
Solomone Kata was accurate in front of the uprights, converting all four tries.
Townsville Blackhawks came out firing against the minor premiers and never let up, claiming an upset win and earning a week off.
The Falcons welcomed back a host of stars with Harry Grant, Todd Murphy, Tino Faasuamaleaui and Chris Lewis all taking to the field.
However, the home side were still without talented trio Nicho Hynes, Joe Stimson, and Jon Reuben.
Despite looking certain to score a few times early in the first half, the Falcons weren’t able to finish with points. The home side’s completion rate became a recurring issue with a raft of unforced errors preventing the Falcons from gaining a foothold in the match.
Sunshine Coast Falcons and Easts Tigers will now clash in a sudden death final at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
