“It definitely hurt,” said Tiaratahs player-coach Emma Ashford.

“The CSU girls just played better on the day. We did the same as last week – won the first half before our defence let us down early in the second.

Even though the elimination loss was a hard pill to swallow, Ashford said her troops were in good spirits post-game.

“We were all upset but the talk in the sheds was about us playing our best and giving it everything we could. That’s all you can ever ask for.”

“Half our team are rookies this year and we still had an exceptional season.

“We have girls who travel from Bathurst and Lithgow just to play with us and that just shows what a great team we have on and off the field.”

“I hope all our girls can and want to come back next year to try again.”

CSU’s win will see an all-university grand final as the Mungals are set to continue their reign of dominance – no matter which was the game goes.

Pundits might have touted the CSU Mungoes as underdogs heading into Saturday’s match at Orange Barbarians but the students, led by Billy Dickinson, produced a double-digit win over the home side.

The men in yellow will now have the chance to knock off Blackheath as they will play the Cats at Don Bradman Oval on Saturday after the league tag decider.

CSU has been plagued by injuries and absentees all season and with a full complement of players, might be primed for an upset.

The ladies kick-off at 1pm while the men start at 2.30.