The Dungowan Cowboys started with a bang in their under-18 major semi-final clash against North Tamworth at Jack Woolaston Oval, but it was the Bears who ultimately packed the bigger punch.
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The home advanced to the grand final with a 30-20 win.
After Cowboy Jack Todd crashed over under the posts early in the match, North Tamworth hooker Liam Ball scampered over seven minutes later to level the contest following Hudson Shaw's conversion.
Nine minutes later, Dungowan's Jhett Butler almost intercepted a pass on his own tryline but knock on, and little Bears winger Amachai Roberts picked up the ball and scored.
Norths took a 10-6 lead into halftime and dominated the second half, with a brilliant early try from Brayden Reid just after the break sending them on their way.
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Reid had come up with a try-saving tackle on Harrison Freeman and then, deftly, jumped around to pick up the loose ball from a vacant dummy-half position and score.
Ball then created a another try for Roberts with a smart run down the blindside, while Dungowan's Todd scored his second try to make it 20-10.
The Bears, however, romped home - with two good tries from outstanding five-eighth Kobe Bone wrapping up the game.
Bone raced over in the 18th and 22nd minutes to make it 30-10 and create a match-winning buffer.
North Tamworth coach Tom Learoyd-Lahrs was delighted with the effort from his players.
"They played with energy," he said. "We were pretty good today. Completed pretty well.
"The only disappointing thing was the final 15 minutes, when we had some defensive lapses. We've got to play for the full 80 minutes."
He said Dungowan had been the benchmark all season and hoped his side could produce a full, strong game in the grand final.
Dungowan coach Shaun Ferguson felt his side received "a reality check".
North Tamworth 30 (Amachai Roberts 2, Liam Ball, Brayden Reid, Kobe Bone tries; Hudson Shaw goal) d Dungowan 20 (Jack Todd 2, Clay Frendin, Zane Woods tries; Blake Ginman 2 goals)
