The Mallabula Panthers were forced to forfeit their game against the North Newcastle.

The Panthers finished their season in fifth spot and will play their elimination semi on Saturday at Lakeside against University.

The side have welcomed clever halfback Joe Gaynor back from a hand injury. However, captain Stuart King is out of for the final series with a serious eye injury.

Mallabula’s ladies tag team wrapped up the minor premiership with a 16-0 win over Maitland.

The ladies team were down several players and their coach due to the fire with many of the girls unable to get home that night.

Raymond Terrace Rugby League Club bowed out of the semi final race at the weekend when Shortland overwhelmed them 48-8 in their final game of the season.

The Magpies were down on troops for several reasons and were forced to play players out of their normal positions, which compounded their problems.

Blake Simpson and coach Brooke Roach were try scorers with Nathan Ruse the players’ player.

The Terrace’s first year back in A-grade is a work in progress and coach Roach is keen to build on this year with the support of PJ Ellis. Key players, recruitment and sponsorship is the target for the rebuild.

Nelson Bay Rugby Union’s seniors will play Wanderers at No. 2 Sportsground this Sunday in a sudden death semi final after a stellar season finishing fourth on the ladder.

The junior rugby club continued its successful season with the under 12s coached by Clint Brown straight into the grand final.

Other teams to play in the finals this Saturday at Gateshead for a grand final spot are Grant Vincent’s 14s who line up against Southern Beaches and Mitch Fraser’s 15s who will play Maitland.

The 17s team will line up against Merewether. Coaches Andrew Evans and Jason Gascoigne are confident of a victory.

Fingal Bay and Raymond Terrace ladies tag teams will play an elimination semi final at Lakeside on Saturday at 10.30am.

The local derby will create plenty of interest from both camps with each team recording a win against each other over the season.

The Ravens finished their season in fifth place on NHRL’s ladies league tag A-grade ladder. The Bomboras finished fourth.

The Bomboras men’s team won a tight match against Cardiff Cobras 42-32 in the battle for the wooden spoon.

Fingal have struggled for numbers in recent weeks so it was a determined winning performance by the team led by back rowers Nathan Dover and Alex Sharp with some fine goal kicking in windy conditions by Jake Redmond.

Nelson Bay Junior Rugby League Club’s undefeated under 12 team play their grand final against Valentine this Saturday at Windale from 9am. Coach Richie Kincaide will have his charges ready to fire after a great season.

The under 16/2 team went down 10-4 in their final against Raymond Terrace in a cliffhanger. The tight contest was level at half time with both teams unable to score.

The Bay boys’ coach, Rod Dixon, said he is proud of the team for their hard work all season.