Highfields defies Gatton comeback to secure spot in Trophy final

Highfields and Gatton went to war as both teams looked to keep their Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy hopes alive.

Jacob Leach for Highfields. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUGBY LEAGUE: Highfields has the chance to secure its first A-grade silverware after a thrilling night on the road.

The Eagles managed to leave Cahill Park with a 22-20 win over Gatton, with a missed kick after the siren cementing them in second spot.

Gatton started strongest, with Ben Seul jumping on a pinpoint grubber from Shannon Hicks to open the scoring in the 7th minute.

Conor Nolan barged his way over soon after, before Anava Fesolai picked off a loose pass to race 50m, giving Gatton at 12-4 advantage at the break.

Knowing their Madsen-Rasmussen fate was on the line, Highfields came out firing to start the second half as they started to win the battle in the middle.

Tries to Pat Templeman, Will O’Gradey and a second to Nolan in the space of 15 minutes gave the Eagles a handy 22-12 break.

The Hawks refused to surrender and finally broke through with Brandon Clarke proving too speedy at the ruck.

When Fesolai scored his second just minutes later, Dylan Flanagan was left with an attempt at conversion to tie things up, but missed to the right, giving Highfields the win.

The win solidifies Highfields in second spot on points differential, and coach Gus McKellar told TRL Media he was proud of the way his side was able to fight back.

“Down 12-4 here with a big crowd is always hard to come back from,” he said.

“We were happy with what we were doing at halftime, we just knew that we had to be patient.

“I thought we were really good in the second half. I thought we deserved to win tonight.”