CAVENDISH has moved closer to premiership glory, winning through to the South West District Football Netball League (SWDFNL) grand final after defeating Coleraine in the second semi-final at Dartmoor on Saturday.

The Bloods needed their best to overcome the minor premiers, and grabbed the lead early on, kicking clear by a goal at the first break, despite kicking into the wind.

Cavendish had the better of the conditions in the second term and took full advantage, kicking four goals while keeping the Maroons to just one.

At half time, the margin sat at 24 points and Coleraine needed a big third quarter to give itself a chance of a comeback victory.

The main break saw the Maroons get back into the game in the third quarter, kicking four goals, but once again the Bloods were able to hit the scoreboard against the wind with three majors to lead by 18 points at the final change.

A lapse from the red and white opened the door for Coleraine and the Maroons did all they could to close the deficit, but the Bloods hung on to win, 12.8 (80) to 11.7 (73).

Sam Gibson finished the game with eight goals for the Bloods, while Jonathon Coghlan was best for the winners.

Pat Sinnott was Coleraine’s main threat up forward with four goals, while Jordan Plunkett was the Maroons’ best.

The win means the red and white will have a week off to prepare for the grand final, while Coleraine will face Dartmoor in next week’s preliminary final with the winner set to face-off in the decider.

Bloods coach, Clinton Thomas said the team was ready for a tough contest and was proud of the way the players handled themselves.

“It was a good game, we certainly didn’t play our best footy, but we did enough to earn the week off,” he said.

“We are a bit of a different team, we have still got a couple of boys to come back in and the one consistency is we are prepared for a hard match, whether it is against Dartmoor or Coleraine.

“We played a bit better in the second quarter capitalizing with the breeze.

“We are excited to be in the final dance, it is one step closer to what we have been working on all season.”

Thomas said Gibson’s influence on the game was pivotal.

“There is no denying Gibbo is a great player and we are bloody lucky to have him,” he said.