TRY-SCORER: Valleys lock Luke Smith tests out the Wattles defence in Saturday night's TRL elimination semi-final at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Kevin Farmer VALLEYS stayed alive in the TRL finals with a 26-12 win over Wattles in Saturday night's elimination semi-final at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
Both teams were greeted with rain at kick-off which ensured Valleys and Wattles would have to scrap out a win to move on to next week's preliminary final.
Valleys took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a try from lock Luke Smith which was converted by halfback Ahlial Robertson for a 6-0 lead.
Veteran five-eighth Justin McKellar took the Wattles defensive line on and scored from close range in the 25th minute to help the Roosters establish a 12-0 lead at half-time.
Robertson extended that lead to 14-0 just three minutes after the break with a penalty goal before Wattles halfback Matt Duggan, who carried an injury into the game, tried to lift the Warriors.
He scored a try in the 47th minute and converted to close the gap to 12-6 and lift the spirits of Wattles players and supporters.
A quality kick return from Valleys centre Jay Melrose then put on a try for fullback Josh Waters to see the Roosters move to 20-6 up after 56 minutes.
Centre Brenden Wilson stormed over for a try for Wattles in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit to eight points but that was as close as the Warriors got.
A converted try to Hugh Sedger in the corner in the 68th minute and a penalty goal from Robertson in the 70th minute saw Valleys round out a 26-12 win.
Valleys progresses to the preliminary final next Sunday, when they will face the loser of this Sunday's major semi-final between Souths and Gatton at Clive Berghofer Stadium.
The season is now over for Wattles after successive finals losses.
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