The Macleay Valley Mustangs overcame a half-time deficit and a strong breeze in their faces to hold the Taree City Bulls scoreless in the second half and book their place in the grand final with a 28-18 win.
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The Mustangs received a huge boost prior to kick off with halfback Anthony Cowan cleared to make an early return from an ankle injury.
Cowan tested his ankle throughout the week and despite being diagnosed with ligament damage a month ago and given an expected recovery time of 10 weeks, he took the field and played the 80-minutes.
He was vital in the Mustangs’ come-from-behind victory with Cowan partnering Stephan Blair in the halves after five-eighth Malcolm Webster was forced from the field late in the first half and was unable to return.
The Mustangs trailed 18-12 heading into the break with the Bulls’ three missed conversions keeping them in the match.
Macleay Valley had been their own worst enemy with dropped ball and ill-discipline giving the Bulls opportunities.
However, they regrouped at half-time and came out of the sheds in the second period as a different team. They attacked strong and defended even better.
The Mustangs kept the Bulls scoreless while Blair “ran a muck” in the halves.
“In the second half I just steered the ship and controlled the direction while Stephan ran a muck and created opportunities,” Cowan said
“He is a great talent and is very skilful, he turned it on.”
Cowan pulled up sore after the match but said he will be right for Sunday.
Blair was the best player on the field and rightfully had the honour of sealing the match for the Mustangs.
He picked up a loose ball and raced 60 metres to score the try which gave his side a 10-point cushion.
The victory gives the Mustangs a fourth crack this season at defeating the Port City Breakers, who will host Sunday’s Group Three Rugby League grand final at Port Regional Stadium.
The Breakers are undefeated in 2017 and were 46-24 winners against the Mustangs in the grand final qualifier a fortnight ago.
Sunday’s first grade game will kick off at 3pm with the Mustangs’ U18.5s to face Wauchope Blues at 11.45am.
