By MARK CASHMAN

The fairytale finish for Warringah’s retiring big four probably should have been going out on the back of a grand final win in a couple of weeks time but the next best happened on Saturday.

Skipper Sam Ward, scrum half Josh Holmes, hooker Rob Kelly and Dave Feltscheer all called time on their careers at Rat Park and were rewarded with a 26-14 win over finals bound Northern Suburbs.

In the end the Rats scored four tries to two, one of those a penalty try from a Warringah intentional knock down from winger Charlie Tupu, but it was game that always had a certain edge about it.

Warringah kicked off the scoring with a nice try to hooker Wes Thomas. The penalty try followed but the home side were able to jump out to a 19-7 lead with tries from Charlie McKill and Ben Marr.

Then as he has done so often in the past Holmes stepped up to the plate and engineered one of those tries that he has been famous for scoring.

Fittingly Ward nudged over the conversion to skip out to a 26-7 lead but games like this always have twists and Holmes was sin binned late in the game.

The Rats scrum with Rory O’Connor and Sam Needs as props were able to put some pressure on the Norths eight and this is something that coach Earl Va’a will have to address before the finals start.

Warringah coach Mike Ruthven was pleased to finish the season on such a positive note.

“I was proud of the players for their commitment to the week and their desire to finish strongly,” Ruthven said.

“We were certainly lifted by the emotional energy around Wardy, Josh and ‘Bert’ playing their last games and those guys deserved to go out winners.

“Before the game we spoke about our defensive effort and making sure we disrupted the momentum of Norths attack.

“I thought we defended strongly and forced some errors from Norths and our ability to play off the transition was a real positive from the game.

“Our forwards provided a strong platform with a really solid set piece. Rory Suttor and Sam Needs both had strong games and really got us on the front foot.

“Guy Rees and Robbie Nelson were rock solid through our midfield and Tyson Davis had some great touches from the back.”

Norths coach Va’a put the focus on what was ahead in the wake of the game.

“Warringah’s defence put us under pressure at different times and led us to drop some of those final passes when they try line beckoned.

“That said we’ve just got to be better in the coming weeks as it’s do or die next week against Sydney Uni.

“I thought our scrum improved a bit from last week and we will welcome back German Hafelli.”

WARRINGAH 26 (Wes Thomas, Josh Holmes, Ben Marr, Charlie McKill tries; Sam Ward coversion, Marr 2 conversions) d NORTHERN SUBURBS 14 (Max Burey try, penalty try; Angus Sinclair conversions) at Pittwater Rugby Park.

IMAGE: SUPPLIED