The Blackheath Blackcats have progressed to the 2015 New Era Cup grand final after an impressive 26 -16 win against Bathurst Villages.
The Cats went into the game without experienced trio Aaron Kelso, John Nankervis and Grant Rhodes due to injury and work commitments, but their replacements stood up against the biggest forwards pack in the competition.
Blackheath scored first when winger Tim Van Horen pounced on a Brad Jervis bomb.
It wasn't long before they were in again after Greg Alderson busted through a gap and ran 40 metres before finding Brad 'Caterpillar' Jervis who linked up with his fullback before scoring under the posts.
Jervis converted again to make it 12-0 and moments later converted a penalty.
He was heavily involved in the last Cats' try before half-time when he kicked a towering bomb that Villages' fullback spilled only to see Dylan Morton scooped up the ball and plant it over the tryline.
Jervis converted and Villages hit back with an unconverted try to make it 20-4 at the break.
Villages had a lot more of the football in the second half and threw everything at the Cats in attack, but committed defence by the Cats saw them only score two tries.
Jervis kept wreaking havoc with his bombs and it paid off, with Matt 'Vulcan' Walsh cleaning one up after a Wang error and passing the pill to Matt Rance who found space out wide and scored. Jervis added the extras to make the final score 26-10.
Best for the Cats were Michael Rennie, Ryan and Brad Jervis, Matt Ranse, Ryan Evans, Anthony Corocher, Tim Van Horen and Tayler Davidson.
The Blackcats vs Wang grand final is on this Saturday at 2.30pm at Wang Sports Ground.
The Blackcats' 2015 squad comprises:
Ryan Evans (captain), Matt Ranse, Brett Ranse, John Nankervis, Greg Nankervis, Brad Jervis, Ryan Jervis, Greg Alderson, Tim Alderson, Aaron Kelso, Michael Rennie, Brock Tarrant, Dylan Morton, Anthony Corocher, Daniel Hatswell, Adam Fuller, Steve Easter, Grant Rhodes Tayler Davidson, Nick Wilson, Jessie Lua Lua, Wayne Campbell, Tim Van Horen, Matt Walsh, Locky Taylor and Mitch Wallace. Club executives: Jed Jervis (coach), Wayne Morgan (president), Vince Curry (vice president), Lorna Evans (treasurer), Wayne Morgan (secretary), John Hatswell (ground manager). Committee members: Roger Coleman, Bernie Rennie, Gerrard van Drempt, Greg Van Horen, Bruce 'Buster' Green and Rob Joyce. League Safe Trainers: Greg Nankervis, Dean Evans.
The club thanks its great sponsors: Gardners Inn Blackheath, Blackheath Newsagency, Blackheath Veggie Patch, Bendigo Bank Katoomba, Steve and Kim Moore, Katoomba RSL, Blackheath Taxis, Lloyd's Jewellery Workshop and Kevin Gracey Earth Moving.
