They were defeated in last year’s decider and coach Louise Ricketts said the disappointment was spurring them on.

“It is for sure,” she said.

“They’ve got mainly the same side from last year with a few new ones and they’re confident going into this weekend.”

Moree heads into the match against Armidale having had one win and one loss during the regular season.

“They beat us early in the season when we were just getting together, but it was only 28-18 so there wasn’t too much in it,” Ricketts said.

“And then the last time we played them we smashed them 38-8.”

Ricketts remained wary of the Armidale side despite the comfortable win in the last encounter.

“They didn’t have one or two of their key players, but I’m still confident we’re in with a good shot this weekend.”

Ricketts said one of the many pleasing aspects of the season had been the way her side had come together and continually improved.

“Darryl Sharpley and Nathan Ricketts in particular have been the driving force behind the team, but in saying that it’s been a fabulous team effort,” she said.

The under 12s will join the 14s in the finals with a match against the first-placed Glen Innes.

After the regular season they finished in second spot and coach, Aaron Annis-Brown, said he was confident of a good performance from his boys.

“The main positive from this season has been the way they’ve played; they’re just a good group of kids,” he said.

In the only match between the two sides so far this season Glen Innes travelled to Moree and registered an 18-12 win while the other match was washed out.

“The boys just had an off day,” Annis-Brown said.

They will welcome back Dwayne Smith after he spent the last week in Wollongong representing NSW at the state championships, which Annis-Brown said would be a boost.

“He’ll come back as a better player which will help us,” he said.

Annis-Brown was quietly confident of a successful day for his side.

“I don’t want to jinx them, but they’ve been training really well,” he said.