In a momentum shifting match, Melville benefited from more quality opportunities but they failed to land the killer blow.

It came back to haunt Melville as Terrigal lifted in the final 12-minutes to cross for three tries and overcome a six-point deficit.

After muscling up in defence in the opening exchanges, Melville began to dominate the field territory and were camped on the Terrigal goal line.

Melville threatened to open the scoring but couldn’t find the decisive pass to crack open the Terrigal defence.

Jacob Webster had the ball stripped off him as he attempted to score and Terrigal players scrambled well to hold off the onslaught.

With half-time approaching, Melville opted to open the scoring with a penalty goal.

The second half started as the first had finished, with Melville pinning Terrigal deep in their own half.

Terrigal attempted to shift the ball wide to find space on the fringes but coughed it up and Melville’s halfback Saydan Close pounced on the loose ball.

The number seven sprinted 50m to score the first try of the match and extend the lead to 6-0.

However, Melville failed to complete their set off the kick off and they gifted the visitors an opportunity to hit back. 

Terrigal took it with both hands as they barged their way over to level the scores and silence a vocal crowd.

The momentum stayed with Terrigal as repeated infringements kept the ball in their hands.

They eventually made Melville pay as the Terrigal fullback ran the ball on the last and stretched out to break the deadlock.

With the game hanging in the balance, Melville chanced their hand but a mistake lead to Terrigal icing the game and scoring their third try.

Melville coach Beau Russell-Docherty was proud of his side’s performance.

“The effort was there from all of the players today,” Russell-Docherty told the Argus.

“They gave it their all but weren’t able to come away with the win. 

“It was a good hard fought game, I felt like we controlled the first half but we weren’t able to break them.”

Russell-Docherty reflected on the journey, which saw Melville finish in the top eight in the state in their division.

“This group of boys has continued to improve, we were given a lifeline after finishing third in the group stage and they took it with both hands,” he said.

“We went up to Coffs Harbour and won and later beat Port Hacking to advance to the quarterfinals.”

Melville High School are still in contention for a state title as the Under-14s rugby league side faces Chifley College in the Buckley Shield at Verge St Oval at 9.30am on Tuesday August 6.

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