Orange Emus loom as a genuine Ferguson Cup darkhorse after snatching a last-gasp, final round victory over minor premiers West Wyalong on Saturday.
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The green girls led 12-7 at quarter-time and then 19-12 at the major break before the Redbacks stormed to a 26-19 advantage at the last change and looked set to head into the finals on the back of a commanding victory.
But a try to Jessie McLean mid-way through the final quarter gave Emus a sniff and when Milika Tuinakauvadra burst through to find the back field seconds before the final siren it was shut the gate.
Emily McDonald landed the conversion from in front – her third of the game – to secure a come-from-behind 31-26 victory, booking Emus’ spot in the finals with a fourth-place finish.
West Wyalong picked up two bonus points after scoring four tries and losing by less than seven points and still secured the minor premiership, finishing a point ahead of the rampaging CSU Bathurst girls on the ladder.
But it’s Emus that head into the post season full of confidence on the back of six wins in their last seven games.
“We had a lot of belief in each other and at the end of the day that team spirit got us over the line,” Emus veteran Amanda Ferguson said.
“We were a bit short today, we’ve had a few injuries and we nursed them today to try and get them back before semis.
“That last quarter we were a bit slowish after half-time, we always are, we’re a bit of an older team. We take a bit to get going.
“They came out hard, with a lot of ball, but our aim was to get the ball and keep it, treat it like gold. We did that and got over the line.”
Tuinakauvadra was sensational for Emus, scoring two long-range tries – the first after steam-rolling one of the West Wyalong cover defenders.
“We’ve been lucky to get her to play this year, she’s improving every game. She’s such a strong ball runner,” Ferguson added.
“But, to beat a side like West Wyalong, everybody has to play well and everybody did something special today.
“Stacey (Howarth) is always great in support and little Emily (McDonald), she’s improving every game.”
Along with Emus, West Wyalong and CSU, Bathurst Bulldogs, Cowra, Mudgee and Temora all earned spots in this year’s top seven.
The finals kick-off at Molong on Saturday.
- ORANGE EMUS 31 (Milika Tuinakauvadra 2, Stacey Howarth, Amanda Ferguson, Jessie McLean tries; Em McDonald 3 conversions) def WEST WYALONG REDBACKS 26 (Kenesha Stevens, Brodie Ford, Nakita Atfield, Louise McCabe tries; Stevens 3 conversions);
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
