Young books in return to finals with win over Southcity

The Cherrypickers overcame a rally late in the first half from the Bulls to score consecutive wins and guarantee their place in the top four ahead of a clash with Junee next week.

Coach Nick Hall was pleased with the team's response after the Bulls forced themselves back into the contest.

"We are working on some resilience and that stuff comes with combination and familiarity," Hall said.

"We got challenged in the first half but in the second half we handled it better.

"This is the performance we need going into semis."

Young fired early, scoring the first three tries of the clash before some Nathan Rose brilliance saw the teams go into the break locked at 14-all.

Rose scored twice in the last seven minutes of the half before a Latrell Siegwalt penalty goal after the siren levelled things.

Southcity challenged early in the second half, and had Kyle McCarthy denied a try, before Josh McCrone took control of the contest as he found Mick Picker with a kick to put the home side back in front with 23 minutes to play.

Two long range tries and Picker's second with a minute left on the clock saw the scoreline blow out.

However a hamstring injury to captain Tom Bush is a concern after he came off early in the win.

"It changes the balance but we had Nic Hall go back there (to fullback) and he's obviously a great replacement," Hall said.

"It changes the dynamic of the spine and hammies are a worry so we will see what happens.

"It is the first one he's ever done."

With the bye to finish the shortened season, it means Southcity, who have played in the last four grand finals, will miss the finals for the first time in a decade.

Southcity had plenty of turnover from last season but Rose believes it will be a good learning experience for those who committed to play.

"The COVID thing is negative but trying to get the positives out of it I think it is a good year for me to learn as a coach what works and how you deliver it to the boys to get them to understand," Rose said.

"I'll definitely take a lot of positives out of this year."