A POWERFUL three-try performance from Jason Ferris propelled minor premiers Glen Innes into a home Group 19 grand final with a hard fought 42-26 win over Tingha yesterday.

Played in wet and murky conditions at Kerry Mead Park, Glen Innes, the game was a terrific example of wet weather rugby league with a dozen tries keeping the big crowd enthralled. Fortunes fluctuated as Glen Innes dominated most of the first half to lead 22-4 at the break. Tingha stormed back into the match straight after the break with two quick tries from Nathan Blacklock (43rd minute) and Tod Prince (46th).

Suddenly, the Magpies’ lead was slipping away but Ferris stepped up with a dummy and sprint through the defence for a vital try. Sam Key (seven goals) added the extras to extend Glen’s lead to 28-14. But again Tingha came back. This time Brayden Dwyer slid across for the try. He converted it and when Blacklock backed up to take a return pass for a six-pointer, the game was in the balance with 17 minutes remaining.

Tingha chased a kick through and went close to regathering for another try. It was a defining moment of the match with Glen taking control of the last quarter hour and, with Blacklock hobbling with a hamstring problem, Tingha’s flair disappeared as Ferris rose to the occasion with a spirited display that brought two tries.

The first came when Glen’s strong chase forced a Tingha knock on within the Tigers’ own quarter. Ferris was playing half in the absence of Aaron Jones who suffered an ankle injury late in the first half. When Glen won the scrum, Ferris waltzed through a gaping hole in the Tingha defence to score untouched.

Three minutes later (74th minute) Glen hooker Jamie Watts made a nice break from dummy half in his own half. His offload put Ferris into the gap and the 32-year-old raced 40m to score under the crossbar. Key added a penalty goal with 90 seconds to go.

Ferris and Blacklock, the two captains, were both outstanding for their teams, but they had great support from many players.

For the Tigers, Brayden Dwyer and Paul Leitinger had fine games while Luke Buxton was strong throughout.

Glen’s best included Muggleton, second rower Jake Chard, prop Shad Bailey, lock Watts and the Key brothers, Jake and Sam.