TWO tries in quick succession yesterday helped Mudgee High School prevail 30-19 in the Buchan Shield Western Region final against Orange High.

Orange held a narrow 19-18 lead with 10 minutes to go in the match at Orange High School but Mudgee crossed for two tries to run away with the win and progress to the next round of the competition.

Mudgee will now play the winner from Riverina and Orange coach Glen Pearson said his team would have loved to have been the ones progressing.

“They were disappointed but they tried their best and a couple of silly mistakes let Mudgee back in,” Pearson said.

But he believes the effort to make the Western Region final should be applauded.

“I’ve been coaching here for three years and it is the furthest any of the three teams have gone and to make the Western Region final is great,” Pearson said.

Jake Davis, Sam Hurford and Brendan Farr crossed for tries for the hosts, with Saimone Palu, Jake Clifford and Cody Robbins also having strong games.