Oakdale Halves Put Cleaners Through Moss Vale

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday August 26, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

HALVES Bart Masters and Ron Jones ran riot in Oakdale's 46-8 drubbing of Moss Vale in Sunday's Group Six final.

The Workers booked themselves a grand final date with unbeaten Thirlmere and would be quietly confident of giving the defending premiers a run for their money after their slick performance against Moss Vale.

Masters and Jones directed traffic superbly behind a dominant forward pack, as Oakdale built an 18-4 half-time lead and stretched it to an insurmountable 30-4 with back-to-back tries early in the second half.

The Dragons were woeful for the second time in as many weeks. Despite finishing second during the regular season, they were booted out the back door after conceding a massive 90 points in two post-season matches.

"It was a very disappointing game for a final as Moss Vale offered very little as a challenge," Group Six secretary John Dayball said.

Masters, Nick Crouch and Tom Casey collected two tries apiece, while Matt MacBeth, Todd Pes and Luke Barron also scored and Jamie Blewitt kicked five goals.

Thirlmere have been by far and away the competition's best side and would probably start as $1.01 favourites for Sunday's premiership showdown if such a betting market existed.

"Thirlmere has beaten Oakdale three times this season and should win easily," Dayball said.

"If Oakdale can match Thirlmere in the forwards and rattle them they might have a chance. Thirlmere's big-time forwards Peter Jensen and Troy Wozniak will use all their experience in this game, while Leo Dynevor and Jason Sampson have class over Ty O'Brien and Luke Barron.

"Oakdale will not find Thirlmere easy like Moss Vale and could find themselves in for a tough afternoon. No doubt winning undefeated will be foremost in the minds of Thirlmere."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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