Hay Magpies and Griffith Waratahs scored wins over the weekend, in the first round of the Group 20 final series.

Hay hosted Yanco Wamoon Hawks in the elimination final held at Hay Park on Saturday, the Magpies first finals appearances in 11 years.

The temperature was at it’s peak but the two sides did not hold back, as they fought to keep their season alive.

Ill-discipline saw the Hawks lose Bodean Tereva to the sin-bin early in the first half.

Repeat errors by the Hawks gave Hay opportunities, but they were unable to capitalise, despite impressive metres earned with every ball return by fullback Kynan Headon.

Against the overlap of players, it was the Hawks who scored first, with powerful centre Mesu Navakayla crossing the line, closely followed by Taine Pauls’ own try, to give Yanco a 10-nil lead.

Magpies Phil Hunter, Ben Taylor and Toby Crighton worked the ball well, before Jerry Balenawi (Nakete) crossed to get Hay on the scoreboard.

Balenawi’s massive defensive effort switched momentum in the Magpies favour, and hard-running BenArandt burst through the Yanco line, before Anare Rokosusu crossed.

The side went into the break with scores locked at 10-all.

Above: A determined Hay Magpies saw off Yanco Hawks on the weekend - Will Barnes (with ball) was named amongst Hay's best.

Within minutes of the restart Hay pulled ahead, when Ethan Harris scored wide but Yanco hit back with their own try to Josh Onekawa and scores locked again.

Hay strung together a solid passage of play which resulted in a try to Jock Crighton and Taylor added the vital conversion points.

Yanco’s Vilimoni Waqanidrola crossed in the corner, making the kick too difficult to convert and with less than three minutes on the clock Hay defended a narrow two-point lead.

Yanco put up a kick as the siren sounded and mounted a last-ditch attack, but a forward pass was ruled, and the Magpies were able to celebrate the end of the Hawks season.

Coach Chris Stewart described the game as ‘scrappy’ but was pleased with the win, naming Crighton, Barnes and Arandt as his top three.

“We definitely didn’t play our best,” he said. “But we win ugly which is pleasing.

“I think we started a bit slow but, as always, I knew if we played the long game we’d get there. The effort as always was huge and that got us over the line.”

Full time score: Hay 20 defeated Yanco 18.

Hay next meets Leeton in the first-grade minor semi-final at Yanco on Saturday.

The weather played a part in the qualifying final between Leeton Greens and Waratah Tigers at the Tigers home ground on Sunday. Blustery winds and rain caused multiple handling errors and narrowed kicking options.

Waratahs set the pace for the game, playing out a strong first half which saw them head into the break with a comfortable 24-nil lead at half time.

The Tigers first try was scored by Elvis Nauer-Wood, before a 70-metre dummy-half run from James Girdler saw him slide across the try-line.

Waratahs Ulu Akolo scored two quick tries, as Leeton lost their captain Billy Dickinson to the sin-bin, before Akolo scored a third try right on half-time.

Leeton settled in the second half and played a much-improved game, but in the testing conditions, the margin was too great to chase down.

Leeton opened their account when Vula Wate Jnr took advantage of a fumbled ball to score, followed by Sebastian Bassett soon after.

The solid performance and speed of Leeton’s Jessee Watson was rewarded when he raced across the line, to bring the Greens within 10 points. Despite narrowing the margin, Leeton’s hopes were dashed when Sina Tatofi scored a burrowing final try for Waratahs.

While Leeton were able to pounce on a short kick off, allowing Brandon Catlin to break the line and score under the post, the host side held on for the win.

Both sides exited the game with injury woes. The Griffith side lost Moses Lolohea to a collarbone injury, while Leeton’s Matthew Goodwill was sidelined with a leg injury. 

Final score: Waratahs 30 defeated Leeton 20.

The Waratahs will travel to Darlington Point Sportsground on Sunday to meet minor premiers Darlington Point Coleambally Roosters in the major semi-final.