TOWNIES advance to the qualifying final against Normanton this weekend after another thrilling victory at Alec Inch Oval on Saturday.
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Last week Townies left it late to deny the Stingers the minor premiership and this week it went later still with extra time needed to overcome Wanderers, who played their footy of the season.
Town needed everything in their arsenal to overcome the defending Premiers who went down fighting.
Town were missing their captain coach Marty Paulson but still started strongly to go out to an early 12-4 lead.
Town had beaten their opponents three times this season but Wanderers were up for the big one and fought back with three tries to take a 20-12 lead into halftime.
The pressure of finals footy was starting to take its toll when Wanderers fumbled a golden opportunity dropping the ball instead of landing it on the try line though Townies returned the compliment with a crucial fumble of their own a minute later.
The Lions gradually took control and level proceedings with two tries.
Back came the Devils with a runaway try and the sides swapped tries to leave it 32-32 with minutes remaining.
In a frenetic conclusion both sides missed chances to set up the field goal and it went to extra time.
Wanderers scored first, but as they tried to score again with the final tackle of the half they gave the ball away and Town ran down the field to make it 36-36.
It seemed as if golden point might have to be required but Town grabbed the first try of the second half. which crucially they converted.
Wanderers scored a try off the last play of the day but a touch line conversion to force golden point was just beyond them and Town ran out winners of an epic contest 42-40.
Over in Cloncurry the minor premiers ran out winners in a tough contest with Normanton.
The Eagles outlasted their opponents 40-28.
Cloncurry now advance to grand final on Saturday week where they will play the winners of Town versus Normanton this Saturday.
Though yet to be confirmed by the Mount Isa Rugby League, that game is likely to be in Normanton as the Stingers finished higher on the ladder than Town.