BOWRAL and Tech/Tahs are locked in the race for the fifth and last ICUR finals spot after Bowral went down to the Uni Mallee Bulls 22-14 at Uni on Saturday.

With five rounds to go the Tahs are one point ahead of Bowral in fifth and Uni are 11 points ahead of the Tahs in fourth. Tech/Tahs have a much easier run to the finals, playing cellar dwellers Kiama and Camden, while Bowral face second placed Shoalhaven twice and take on third placed Shamrocks in what is shaping as a spiteful encounter at Eridge Park on August 2.

Bowral take on the Tahs in the penultimate round in what will be an early grand final for the Blacks.

Bowral captain-coach Chris Creber said the Blacks bombed at least five certain tries due to poor handling and communication.

"Our defence was good but we knocked on at contact and threw too many 50/50 passes. The only time they threatened our line was off our own mistakes," he said.

"Ryan Lonsdale had four clear breaks but we lost the ball at contact. We were unable to build any momentum."

Andrew Hindmarsh opened the scoring from a forward drive in the first 10 minutes before Uni hit back to make it 7-7. The home team then pushed ahead from a Blacks' mistake following a kick and led 12-7 at the break.

Creber then threw an intercept pass that led to Uni's third try and the Bulls slotted over a penalty goal soon afterwards to pull ahead 22-7. Blacks' forward John Dobson was sinbinned after Uni's third try but Bowral managed to hold out the Bulls for the rest of the half.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, July 21

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