The Blackheath Blackcats have stormed into the 2014 Centennial Coal Cup grand final with an impressive 34 -6 win over the Bathurst CSU Blue team.
The boys bounced back from the major semi final defeat at the hands of the Yellow team with the great win.
The Cats went into the game without halfback and goal kicker Greg Nankervis due to illness and Michael Rennie, who injured his hand in last week's game. But the team came out firing from the starting siren with the forwards leading the way with some great defence which drove the Blues players back. Steve Easter, Tim Van Horen, Ryan Jervis, Ryan Evans and big Chris Holmes took control of the game.
The Cats were unlucky not to have scored after 15 minutes when Jervis put Matt Ranse through the gap and raced 30 metres to score only to be brought back on a linesmen's call. The Cats scored soon after when Jessie Lua Lua made a barn-storming run through the Blues defence then offloaded to Grant Rhodes who raced away to score under the posts. Brad Jervis converted to give the Cats a 6-0 lead.
The rest of the first half was a tight battle with both teams showing good defence.
In the second half, the Cats forwards were on a roll. Ranse put Holmes over to score next to the posts and the Cats were in again when Lua Lua put passed to Thomas Gasperee who scored in the corner Cats.
Van Horen was sin binned for 10 minutes and the Cats were down to 12 men but Ranse chipped over the Blues defence, regathered and scored next to the posts. The Cats scored again when Rubin the wrecking ball Jervis crashed over to score. Brother Brad converted to give the Cats a 28-6 lead. Then Aaron Kelso scored and coach Jed Jervis kicked the conversion, leaving the Cats big winners 34-6.
Players' player went to captain Evans, coach award to Taylor Davidson.
The Blackheath club would like to thank all the volunteers who helped set up the ground and stay to remove all the gear after the game. Next week's grand final is in Bathurst against the CSU Yellow team.