IT was the game Bowral had to win to make the top five, and on Saturday the Blacks edged out their fifth spot rivals, Tech/Tahs, with a 20-13 win at Saunders Oval.

Bowral's eighth win and sixth bonus point puts them four points clear of the sixth-placed Tahs. With both teams taking on the top two sides in the final round, the Blacks should feature in the minor preliminary semi-final against Uni at Eridge Park on September 6.

Bowral take on league leaders Shoalhaven at Eridge this Saturday while the Tahs will need to pull off the biggest upset of the season against title favourites Avondale to sneak past Bowral into the finals.

Bowral could have shut the Tahs out of the finals race by winning by more than seven points but, in windy conditions, neither side had any success with the boot.

Both teams were unable to convert any of their tries and the Tahs kicked the only goal from right in front of the sticks.

Bowral skipper Chris Creber said his boys produced when it counted.

For the full story see the Southern Highland New, Monday, August 22

sport.highlandnews@ruralpress.com