FORSTER-Tuncurry booked a home semi-final with a strong finishing 46-20 win over Port Macquarie in the Group Three Rugby League match at Tuncurry.
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The Hawks have now moved three points clear of fifth-placed Port City in the race for fourth spot, with the Sharks slipping back to sixth.
Port Sharks will host Wingham in the final round on Saturday and will have to defeat the Tigers and hope Old Bar can upset the Breakers if they're to defend last season's premiership.
Wauchope's defeat of Macleay Valley means Forster can do no better than fourth.
The Hawks play Wauchope on Sunday and while a win would move them to equal points on the ladder, the Blues have a superior points differential.
Forster led Port 28-20 with 15 minutes left in the second half.
"We started to get a bit of quality ball and complete our sets," coach Phil Adamson said.
"We ran away with it at the end."
Adamson said securing a home semi was a major boost for the club.
"It's been a few years since the club's played in the semis and to get a semi out here is huge," he said.
"Three of our four grades will play in the semis and our reserve grade and league tag sides will finish second, so it's been a pretty good year."
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Hooker Riley Glover went into the game under an injury cloud after taking a knock the previous game against Old Bar.
However, he showed no ill-effects in a sparkling 80-minute performance.
He was supported by halfback Adrian Davis, who again showed his class.
Prop Bill Ryder gave the side plenty of go-forward and scored a determined try.
"But I was pretty happy with all the boys," Adamson said.
A hand injury sustained by interchange player Kye Burke was the only dampener on the day.
The Hawks have won four of their last five games, their last defeat a 31-30 decision against Macleay Valley at Kempsey on June 23.
While there's nothing resting on this weekend's game against the Blues, Adamson said it's still important.
"We don't want to be going into the semi-finals on the back of a bad result. It's all about momentum at this time of the year," he said.
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