Thanks to a perfect six from six with the boot – two in very clutch circumstances from the chalk – and two tries from the goal-kicking flier, Western hung on to defy a fast-finishing Newcastle Rebels 36-34 and qualify for the championships’ decider in Cessnock next weekend.

“He’s pumped, considering he was left out for the first game,” Hancock smiled, Towney finishing with a game-high 20 points at Carrington Park on Saturday.

“We kicked poorly in that first game and I thought we need a goal-kicker, but he’s right up there with our top try-scorers now … and he’s nailing them from everywhere.

“He had to take a knock at the start and he’s bounced back from that.”

Western led 24-6 at half-time but was left shell shocked as the visitors stormed out of the sheds in the second-half to lock up the scores 10 minutes into the new term.

Rallying in front of the Carrington Park crowd, the Rams hit back with Blayney brute Dylan Marmion barging his way over to score before Towney dove over in the corner inside the final 10 minutes to shoot the hosts out in front again.

Easy as you like, Towney nailed his own conversion from the sideline to ensure Western continued to leap by sixes – and it proved pivotal.

As they did earlier in the half, Newcastle threw everything into a comeback bid, with John Afu and Sam Douglas both scoring, the latter right on the bell to give the Rebels one final hope of snatching a draw and pushing the clash into extra time.

But the right boot of Sam Smith wasn’t quite as accurate as Towney’s, the Newcastle gun having his final shot at goal waved away to ensure the Rams progressed courtesy of the two-point triumph.

“We had the first lot of footy. We were outstanding in the first half … and we managed the momentum,” Hancock said.

“But when it shifted, and we spoke about it at half-time, we just had to hang in there with our ‘D’, and they did that.

“They gave me a few heart palpitations but their effort was outstanding. To play so poorly last week (in a round three loss to Bidgee), the way we trained on (Friday night) was outstanding.

“I’m over the moon. These kids have worked really hard. They’re a special group. There’s no big heads and it’s great for Western Division.”

For Western, hooker Campbell Woolnough was sensational out of acting half, setting up his side’s first two four-pointers.

Fullback Ben Glasheen was also a stand-out at the back, scoring a run-away try in the first half to help Western shoot to an early advantage.

The game acted as a prelude for a memorable double for Western , with the under 18s winning 44-10 over Greater Northern Tigers to ensure the Rams again feature in both junior championship finals.

Western lost both deciders last season in Tamworth.

WESTERN RAMS 36 (Ray Towney 2, Dylan Marmion, Nathan Ward, Ben Glasheen, Harry Blake tries; Ray Towney 6 goals) def NEWCASTLE REBELS 34 (John Afu 2, Tom Reynolds, Sam Douglas, Sam Smith, Billy Mitchell tries; Sam Smith 5 goals)