![GRACEFUL: Season ten MVP Peter Goldthorpe dodges a shot in Raymond Terrace's first ever finals win, as they downed Cooks Hill in a landslide 10-4 victory. Picture: Eva Bailey GRACEFUL: Season ten MVP Peter Goldthorpe dodges a shot in Raymond Terrace's first ever finals win, as they downed Cooks Hill in a landslide 10-4 victory. Picture: Eva Bailey](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/2707707d-0d48-453a-aae2-edf2e328f8e1.JPG/r0_361_3448_2204_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The last time Raymond Terrace entered the elimination rounds, they were battered out of contention with a 14-0 mauling by Hamilton.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
This time around, their new-look fast paced dodgeball has secured them a move into the next round, and a rematch against the defending champions.
The Terrace’s tempo was a key concern for Cooks Hill heading into the quarter final match-up, and it proved to be the catalyst for one of Raymond Terrace’s most historic victories.
The Cookers found themselves flagging early in the second half, after a 4-3 scoreline to the eventual winners at half-time spoke of a close tail end to the contest.
It was anything but close in the second stanza however, as the Terrace surged to a 6-set lead, keeping Cooks Hill to just a single set and confirming their finals victory.
In the other quarter-final on Thursday evening, Belmont moved into the last four clubs with a 9-3 win over Rutherford.
![Belmont captain Nic Price has guided his team into the post-season playoffs for the very first time. Belmont captain Nic Price has guided his team into the post-season playoffs for the very first time.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/66549612-7c98-4eda-af77-f4cc3e847e86.JPG/r192_484_3456_2212_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
After struggling in seasons past to make the elimination finals, the southern club will be eager to confirm a deep run into the playoffs, and their routine win over their northern opponents is a strong first step.
The six-set win was also notable as the club have been absent key catcher Gorgia Watkins (knee) and forward Liam Janczuk (one-week layoff), both of whom have been crucial to early-season success.
With both Watkins and Janczuk set to return next week against Waratah in the semifinals, Belmont find themselves in a strong position to potentially make their first ever grand final.
![Belmont's forward Liam Janczuk will look to return with impact after a spell on the sidelines. Belmont's forward Liam Janczuk will look to return with impact after a spell on the sidelines.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/2a008e79-9084-4dc3-9cab-bbb2409f0ca7.JPG/r0_353_3456_2304_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The final four match-up will also be the key to separating the two high-flying clubs.
Their first meeting in round four saw Waratah pip Belmont in a 6-5 thriller, before the two teams shared the spoils 6-all four weeks later.
Their final clash saw Belmont switch the record with an 8-2 upset, a result the third-seed squad will be eager to repeat in the final set before the final.
In the other semifinal, Hamilton will look to continue their lopsided record against the Terrace – in nineteen meetings between the two clubs Hamilton have yet to taste defeat.
![How well season ten most valuable player and Raymond Terrace captain Peter Goldthorpe performances will be a major factor in the team's match-up against defendning champions Hamtilon. How well season ten most valuable player and Raymond Terrace captain Peter Goldthorpe performances will be a major factor in the team's match-up against defendning champions Hamtilon.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/tNFMMw3EUF8y7ukWP6NLYU/23eaabdc-a32b-4e0d-b18e-46bf6da6759b.JPG/r184_614_3148_2273_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Despise the results all falling to Hamilton in season ten, improvement was clear for Raymond Terrace, as their first clash this year finished 13-0, while their second two came down to the wire in two cagey 6-5 affairs.
After downing Cooks Hill in their first finals upset, the Terrace may have momentum on their side against the four-time champions, a factor Hamilton will have to combat if they are to return to their fifth consecutive grand final.