RUGBY UNION
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ALL looked lost for Orange Emus Chicks late in the second half of Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup women’s preliminary final at Pride Park, down 17-12 and unable to hold on to the ball against a powerful Cowra side.
Enter five-eighth Liv Patterson.
Patterson imposed herself on the final 15 minutes of the game, and her side lifted accordingly, inspiring Emus to an astonishing come-from-behind victory to claim a spot in this weekend’s decider, now a home grand final for the Chicks.
Emus looked outgunned throughout the first half of the clash, but held on through some stoic defence and opportunistic attacking play to only trail 17-12 at the break.
But, although they didn’t concede any more points, the greens looked dangerously close to breaking midway through the second period as Cowra peppered their line, lifting when required.
But, Emus regrouped.
After regaining composure leading into the final stages of the game, Patterson came alive, having a hand in all three tries her side scored in the final six minutes to claim an unlikely victory.
She scored one herself, beating a number of would-be defenders in a thrilling 70-metre individual effort, set up one of the others with another scintillating line break and played a small role in the third.
Emus coach Amanda Ferguson said hard work, and perseverance were the two key factors in the win, and the Chicks will now take on Dubbo Rhinos at Endeavour Oval in this Saturday’s decider.
ORANGE EMUS 26 def COWRA EAGLES 17.