Ballard into under 18s finalPROMISING local rugby league talent Jordyn Ballard (pictured) faces the biggest match of his career this weekend when he steps out for the Canberra Raiders in the grand final of the NRL-based SG Ball competition.
Jordyn and his Raiders teammates will take on the Balmain Tigers in the under, 18s decider to be played at St Marys at 3pm tomorrow.
The Raiders qualified for the big one following a dramatic golden point qualifying final victory over the Sydney Roosters last weekend.
Trailing 24-4 at halftime and 32-10 with around 20 minutes to go, the Raiders launched a spirited comeback, tying up the scores with precious time left on the clock.
Ballard, who played on the left wing, scored two tries and look set to cross for the match-winner in the dying seconds, diving over the line as the siren sounded only to see the referee rule the final pass was forward.
Raiders playmaker Anthony Milford then booted a field goal to send the Green Machine into the final.
The Tigers went through the
preliminary round undefeated, however fell 40-8 to the Raiders in the first semi final before rebounding with a 28-24 win over Penrith and then setting
up a rematch with the Raiders by
eliminating South Sydney 34-26 last weekend.
Ballard is in his second season at the Raiders, having graduated from the Harold Mathews side from last year where his teammates included fellow Cootamundra juniors Ryan Miller and Sam Jennings-Mays.
If the Raiders were to triumph tomorrow they would go on to play the winner of the Queensland-based under 18s competition in the national final.
Source: Cootamundra Herald
Topic: Young Raider Gets Set for the Biggest Match of His Career
