TWO tries to New South Wales Combined High Schools winger Elliott Moaga proved the difference in their 14-12 semi-final victory over NSW Combined Catholic Colleges.
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The win ensures they will progress to the final of the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League championships.
NSWCHS raced out to a 10-0 lead with two tries in quick succession to start the game.
They both came from kicks – the first from hooker Thomas Demeio for Moaga, while centre Aaron Schoupp was the beneficiary of a pinpoint chip from five-eighth Kobe Davies moments later.
But New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges weren’t to be denied and two tries from hooker Josh Rizk wasn’t enough.
NSWCCC hit the front with about 10 minutes remaining when Rizk burrowed his way over underneath the crossbar.
Minutes later, Immanuel Tagaloamatua fumbled a Sam Hooker grubber kick to give NSWCHS a chance of stealing victory.
They did so from the scrum feed when left centre Jeremiah Tulua got on the outside of his man to send Moaga across for his second try of the afternoon in the corner.
NSWCCC had a chance towards the end to steal victory, but the NSWCHS defence held firm to bounce back from a 14-6 defeat to NSWCCC earlier in the tournament.
NSWCHS will now face Queensland Maroon in the championship final at 1.15pm on Friday afternoon.
Both sides played in the first match of the tournament and fought out a 16-all draw.