A 79th minute matchwinner from Keanu Eliepa punched Burnside’s ticket to the Premier Grade decider while Old Collegians will meet Brighton in Saturday’s elimination final after putting Barossa to the sword.
Burnside and Brighton scored five tries apiece in an enthralling major semi final but it was the Tigers who blinked first, letting a 33-32 lead slip away as Freeman Eder and Eliepa combined late to steer the Double Blues home.
A nerveless Eder penalty goal put Burnside back in front with four minutes remaining before Eliepa produced a moment of magic, pilfering a Brighton ruck and sprinting 70m down the right touchline to break Tiger hearts.
Earlier, flyhalf Eder bagged two tries in a star showing to finish with 25 points while centre Ed Wilkes also shone, brushing two defenders for a first-half score and putting Ben Moffat away down the right touchline for a crucial second half try.
The Tigers will nevertheless take heart from impressive two-try winger Ethan Daszkowksi and their tight forwards play ahead of Saturday’s elimination final with a dangerous Old Colls outfit.
The Rams were no match for Old Colls in a 57-22 minor semi final thrashing as winger Kinivuai Tavui scored four of his side’s nine tries to deny Barossa a fairytale home playoff in Week 2.
In the Women’s competition, Woodville landed an early blow to Souths’ title hopes with a 29-17 win punching Wasps' 2024 grand final ticket.
There were no signs of scarring from last year’s decider as Woodville ran in five tries to three, securing a week off and their place in the big dance.
Meanwhile Souths will regroup ahead of a looming clash with Burnside, who dominated Onkaparinga 34-7 as Nikki Kelly and Kate Tihema bagged doubles in their minor semi final win.
In Reserve Grade, Old Colls extended their recent hot streak form with a 11-10 win over Brighton, who'll face Souths in this week's elimination final after the Bulls' 27-19 upset win over Burnside.
Meanwhile, Onkas kept their Third Grade title hopes alive with a 22-12 minor semi final defeat of Old Colls – they’ll next face Burnside who fell 34-17 to unbeaten Brighton in their major semi final.
