In a tightly contested edge-of-the-seat thriller, the 8 Mile Settlers brushed off the determined Border Storms with an 8-6 win during the NCD Governor's Cup Preliminary Final blockbuster on Friday, January 3rd, 2024, at the Kone Tigers Oval.
The 2023 Plate Champions (Settlers) will have a chance to fight for the big title when they go head-to-head with the Mountain Bulls on Sunday, January 5th, at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
Excitement was in the air when the referee blew the whistle to start the game. Both sides went firing on all cylinders in the opening set, and with just under 10 minutes of play, the Storms opened up the game with a try.
The courageous Settlers didn't shy away from that try. They held their resolve and kept asking questions, which finally saw them score an equalizer just before halftime but with an unsuccessful conversion, leaving the margin at 6-4.
The second half was a seesawing affair as both sides fought for territorial play and ball possession to score points. After almost 15 minutes of intense arm wrestling, the Settlers scored a match-winner (8-6) and broke the hearts of the Storms.
Led by the inspirational halfback and veteran campaigner William Mone, the lads from 8 Mile ghetto rose to the occasion and made their presence known, booking a ticket to the big dance.
Captain Mone was pleased with his teammates, who stayed in the grind and competed until the full-time siren. However, he admitted that the grand final would be a different atmosphere, so they needed to put their best feet forward against the Bulls on Sunday.
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