The major semi-final was played in squally conditions at North Bendigo’s Shadforth Park where the Miners had previously been unbeaten this year.

However, they conceded two soft, converted tries in the first 20 minutes of the match before clawing their way back into the contest in the second half.

Deniliquin had first use of the breeze and used it to good effect at the beginning of the game to pin Bendigo in its own quarter.

A defensive lapse in the fourth minute by the Miners’ midfield allowed the Drovers to open the scoring.

The second try was achieved in the 20th minute when a misdirected Bendigo pass was scooped up by a Deniliquin player who ran 70 metres to score between the posts.

Trailing 0-14 at the interval, the Miners lifted their game in the second half to dominate territorially. They were hampered in their efforts to get back into the game by frequent turnovers at the breakdown.

The Miners were able to get on the scoreboard midway through the half when Elson Tuitupou forced his way over after Bendigo won a tight head scrum set on the Drovers’ five metre line.

Quickly recycled ball after Bendigo captain and number eight Nick Dehnert was held up just short of the line gave Tuitupou the opportunity to score.

The remainder of the match was played inside the Drovers’ half, but a combination of stout Deni defence, Miners’ handling errors and many turnovers prevented Bendigo from scoring until three minutes from “no side’’.

Line breaks by John Jeffries and Kingi Uerata went unrewarded, and Jesse Tuitupou spilled a pass with the line open.

Finally, Shane Fagavao scored the consolation try for the Miners.

The Tyson’s Reef Hotel award for player of the day went to Kingi Uerata, who started off at number eight, but was shifted to the centre after Phil Thomas was injured.

Others to play well were Jeffries, prop Nick Poingdestre, Dehnert and replacement lock Nic Anfuse.

Scorers: E. Tuitupou, S. Fagavao tries; Manderson goal.

Team: 1 N. Poingdestre, 2 T. Henderson, 3 J. Tuitupou, 4 N. Dehnert, 5 E. Tuitupou, 6 A. Saville, 7 D. Fallaver, 8 K. Uerata, 9 N. Potae, 10 S. MacDonald, 11 G. Valle, 12 J. Jeffries, 13 P. Thomas, 14 S. Fagavao, 15 J. Manderson, 18 N. Anfuse, 19 L. Eriksen, 21 N. Whittle, and 22 J. Fagavao.

Next Saturday, the Miners will meet Border Army in the preliminary final at Shadforth Park.