RUGBY LEAGUE: Wattles will play Pittsworth in the knockout semi final on Saturday in the Toowoomba A-grade competition.

After 83 minutes of walloping defence in a sensational high paced A-grade elimination final at Toowoomba's Clive Berghofer Stadium on Saturday evening, the Wattles Warriors drew first blood in the 2017 TRL finals series edging out the Highfields Eagles 20-18 in extra time in A grade.

It can be said it was a game of two halves with an enthusiastic Highfields lineup dominent in the first half, crossing for two tries in the 30th and 40th minutes to go to the halftime break leading 12-6 and looking to be gain control of the vital encounter.

Eagles teak tough second-rower Connor Nolan crossed for the first try of the game for a 6-0 lead for his side.　

Wattles evened up in the 35th minute after four consecutive penalties and the Eagles defended gallantly off their line before skilful bench forward Tyrone Jowett charged through defenders to touch down.

It was a deserved try for Jowett, the big forward having toiled tirelessly playing his role throughout the game.　

In what some considered a controversial ending to the first half, the Eagles scored through fullback Blake Appo. Halfback Jarrod Lee had attempted a penalty goal as the halftime siren sounded. Missing the goal it was fielded in goal by Wattles but Appo executed a one-on-one strip and scored allowing his side to take a 12-6 lead at the break.

Warriors coach Gary Lawrence was on the front foot with his charges in his halftime chat, sending a clear message about non-completion of sets, defensive lapses and sticking to the structure.

The defence by both sides was fierce to say the least as expected in finals footy.

After Wattles winger Jimmy Johnson found himself on the end a long pass to snare a try in the 50th minute the match pendulum swung ever so slightly towards the green and golds. Johnson's try was two metres in from touch and a successful Matt Duggan conversion saw Wattles level the ledger at 12-all setting up a bone jarring final 30 minutes.

The Warriors tickled the scoreboard again just four minutes later when their 'never say die' skipper Ryan Duggan added a vital try to give his side an 18-12 lead. The Warriors had taken full advantage of field position after a near 50m gallop by winger Brodie Frizzell.

Both sides enjoyed a little luck with the bounce of the ball, but some errors at key moments certainly denied opportunities.

Halfback Matt Duggan was marked closely by his opponents but he found a little more freedom in the second stanza to create some of his brand of playmaking magic.

Duggan was again outstanding throughout, as was back-rower Dale Perkins and workaholic hooker Liam Ross, while Ryan Duggan and fullback Jackson Green also shone in the finals success.

With the clock showing five minutes to go and trailing 18-12, Highfields threw all they had at the Wattles and as the final minute approached it appeared time would beat them.　

But it's never over until it's over and a try in the final minute from close to the tryline by front rower Nathan Smith, converted by Jarrod Lee locked the scoreboard at 18-18 as the fulltime siren echoed.

After resuming play in extra time, after 80 minutes played at a tremendous pace, Wattles received a penalty after a high tackle and Matt Duggan goaled from 20 metres out for Wattles to win on golden point 20-18.

Wattles 20 (Tyrone Jowett, James Johnson, Ryan Duggan tries; Matt Duggan 4 goals) defeated Highfields 18 (Connor Nolan, Blake Appo, Nathan Smith tries; Jarrod Lee 3 goals).