THE Dragons are out to turn the tables on the undefeated Mittagong RSL first grade minor premiers when they play Thirlmere in the Group 6 major semi-final at Camden on Sunday.

Five times they have faced the Roosters in 2008 and five times they have been left empty handed.

In a massive weekend for the club, the reserves and under-18 Paccon Plate teams are trying to keep their finals campaigns alive in the minor semi-finals at Narellan tomorrow night.

If the first graders overcome their Roosters hoodoo they will advance straight to the grand final, and if Thirlmere continue their domination over Moss Vale, the Dragons will take on the winner of the minor semi-final between Oakdale and Picton for another shot at a grand final berth.

The reserves and under-18s will have to win tomorrow and in the preliminary final at Picton Sunday week to set up a dream day for Moss Vale with all three teams featuring in the August 31 deciders at Community Oval .

Mittagong’s DNC Cup and under-18 Veolia Pennant teams battle in the minor semi-finals at Warragamba tomorrow night, while the red-hot under-18 Veolia Pennant Robertson Spuds can book their grand final spot with a win over Warragamba in the major semi-final at The Oaks on Sunday.

Moss Vale captain-coach Lee Trasler said it was time to “fight fire with fire” against Thirlmere and his forward pack would not be trying to go around the Roosters as they have done previously.

“We need to shut down their key guys Peter Jensen, Troy Wozniak and Leo Dynevor,” he said.

“They blow teams away in the first 15 minutes and that is where the game will be won or lost."

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, August 15

sport.highlandnews@ruralpress.com