Statewide score wrap: Two out of three ain't bad

West Tigers Mackay redeemed last year's heartbreaking grand final loss in style, defeating Townsville Brothers 42-18 to claim this year's Components Only A Grade premiership on Sunday.

The victory is the club's second title in three years and as Meat Loaf famously put it; two out of three ain't bad.

In this year that has been 2020, it's unbelievable that there's only two weeks of community rugby league remaining, meaning the penultimate round of finals kick off this weekend in the South East corner.

Some intriguing results from the weekend set up a number of unmissable contests in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast to determine who will get to run out onto the hallow turf in a fortnight's time.

In Safe Hands Cup - Brisbane

And then there were four... 

In the first week of the In Safe Hands Cup finals, West Brisbane and Carina progressed to this week's do-or-die semi-finals after tough-fought wins over Pine Rivers and Normanby.

At Mitchelton, Wests got off to a magical start when Bryn Callaghan found space on the left edge to cross in the 13th minute, but the Bears held strong and hit back when Will Partridge crossed just before half-time.

With one of the Panthers' downfalls being their inability to put in an 80-minute performance, this was their opportunity to flex their muscle - which they began doing with a try only four minutes after the break by Sunshine Coast Falcons regular Sam Burns, followed by Sam Lister seven minutes later.

Hunter Smallhorn gave his Pine Rivers outfit a glimmer of hope when he ran away with 15 minutes to go, but Tommy Butterfield iced the game with just under 10 to play and put the cherry on top of a solid performance. They will now go up against their foes, Valleys Diehards.

The later game saw Carina fire out of the blocks early, with Brayden Torpy first to score in the 10th minute.

Older brother Cameron Torpy wanted to join in with the four-pointer fun and barged over five minutes later to give Carina an 8-0 lead, and the Tigers were in again in the 20th minute when Ronald Philitoga scored his first of three tries in the match.

Philitoga was in again in a similar fashion with five remaining, linking up with Linc Port to sail over untouched on the right flank.

At half-time, the Tigers were roaring at 18-0, but the Hounds came out to play in the second 40, beginning with a try two minutes after the break.

With 24 minutes remaining, Normanby were in again with Jacob Alick crossing to reduce the deficit to just six points, and they say when it rains, it pours, and Normanby levelled things up thanks to a 90-metre breakthrough by fullback Creedence Toia.

The Tigers managed to re-gain control and take back the lead through Will Bohning, and Philitoga's third four-pointer with eight minutes remaining made things awfully difficult for the Hounds to stay in the contest.

Despite the second-half scare, Carina will now face Wynnum who will have an added flame in the belly from their last round of the regular season defeat to the Tigers.

Semi-final results

West Brisbane Panthers 22 (Bryn Callaghan, Sam Burns, Zach Lister, Tom Butterfield tries; Kyle Van Klaverin 3 goals) defeated Pine Rivers Bears 8 (Will Partridge, Hunter Smallhorn tries)
Carina Tigers 26 (Ronald Philitoga 3, Will Bohning, Cameron Torpy, Brayden Torpy tries; Zak Taibi goal) defeated Normanby Hounds 18 (Creedence Toia, Jacob Tonge, Jacob Alick tries; Josh Malcolmson 3 goals)

Final ladder

QTOP A Grade Premiership - Gold Coast

The top four has been settled at the Gold Coast ahead of the two-week QTOP A Grade finals series.

With Runaway Bay enjoying the week off, thanks to a last round bye, they'll now face Mudgeeraba who were outclassed by Burleigh in an impressive bounce-back.

After scoring the first try, the Redbacks lost dynamic five-eighth Will Brimson to an ankle injury in the opening 20 minutes, which made things tough for the visitors as the Bears put on two quick tries to lead 10-6; however, a late four-pointer put the game back on level-pegging at 10-10.

With a home semi-final on the line, Burleigh roared into action, with a number of Intrust Super Cup stars crossing the chalk - including Sami Sauiluma and Josh Ailaomai - guaranteeing a 2019 grand final rematch at Pizzey Park against Southport for a place in this year's decider. 

Knowing a victory would cement their spot in the four, the Tigers were on fire up against Tugun, who had a slim chance of playing finals if they were able to defeat their opponents by 65 or more points.

Callum Burgess-Boomer was at his point-scoring best, crossing the line four times and kicking four goals to amass 24 of Southport's 40 points recorded against Tugun.

The Tigers will now suit up for a chance to redeem last year's grand final agony against the very team that broke their hearts.

In the final match of the round, Ormeau hosted Currumbin in a game that saw both teams play-off for pride.

It was a tit-for-tat contest early, but the Eagles proved too strong for the Shearers, winning 50-22 and even featured a spirited performance by former Intrust Super Cup and NRL star Matt Geyer, who troubled the scorers with a brilliant breakaway try.

Round 10 results

Currumbin Eagles 50 defeated Ormeau Shearers 22
Burleigh Bears 28 defeated Mudgeeraba Redbacks 14
Southport Tigers 40 defeated Tugun Seahawks
Runaway Bay - Bye

Round 10 ladder

Volunteers Cup - Ipswich

Much like their Gold Coast counterparts, the Volunteers Cup finals series is locked in after a quality final three matches of the regular season.

The early game at Gatton saw minor premiers Goodna take on Souths, and even though the Eagles were too strong, the Tigers really gave it their all in their final game of the season.

Leading 8-0 early in the game, the youthful and energetic Toowoomba side were able to head into the sheds with a 14-10 lead; but that didn't phase the competition juggernauts as they piled on five unanswered tries in the second 40 in readiness for their sudden-death semi-final against West End.

The Bulldogs have hit their straps at the right time of the year, knocking off title-hopefuls Norths Tigers 24-16 to secure fourth spot.

Upsetting Valleys and now Norths, Goodna would have observed the game with interest as West End finished off the Tigers in the style, who were by no means disgraced as they prepare for their grand final qualifier against the Roosters.

The local derby between Valleys and Gatton did not disappoint either bay of supporters, as the resurgent Hawks came from 18-4 down to get within a converted try of the second-placed Valleys, before a clever field goal was slotted by Josh Chappell to seal victory.

The results see the departures of Souths and Gatton from the competition, who will both be better for the experience in the joint-competition and will be two teams to keep an eye on in the 2021 Toowoomba Rugby League season.

Round 10 results

Goodna Eagles 34 defeated Souths Tigers 14
West End Bulldogs 24 defeated Norths Tigers 16
Valleys Roosters 25 defeated Gatton Hawks 18

Round 10 ladder

Components Only Cup - Mackay A Grade

Wests Tigers Mackay are the 2020 Components Only A Grade premiers after an emphatic 42-18 grand final victory over Townsville Brothers on Sunday.

Despite Townsville opening the account early, the Tigers dusted themselves off and shot out of the blocks, leading 26-12 at half-time.

The minor premiers went on with it the second half to win 42-18, with a stellar performance by Jake Thornton earning him the player of the match.

The title avenges last year's heavy grand final defeat to Whitsunday Brahmans.

Read more about the grand final here.

Grand final results

Wests Tigers Mackay 42 (Jake Thornton 2, Kellen Jenner 2, Kimihia Hemopo, Kurt Wiltshire, Daniel Boyd, Zack Walker tries; Samuel Cook 5 goals) defeated Townsville Brothers 18 (Ty Carucci, Tomas Chester, Cameron Bateup tries; Dylan White 3 goals)

Final ladder

Mackay Airport Cup - Mackay Women

Mackay Brothers celebrated a title three-peat, dominating their Townsville counterparts to win 22-4 in Sunday's decider.

A Katie Green double helped the Brethren lift the Mackay Airport Cup for the third straight year, and Maggie Brosnan's Renae Kunst player of the year honour made the victory even sweeter for the Mackay lock.

Grand final results

Mackay Brothers 22 (Katie Green 2, Jasmine Peters, Sharnee Rees, Tamika Brecknell tries; Maggie Brosnan goal) defeated Townsville Brothers 4 (Annaliese Luckman try)

Final ladder