The nail-biting elimination semi final went down to the wire as the lead changed three times in the final 15 minutes.

Kurri had a horror start to the match as winger Jay Stevens broke his jaw in a head clash with team mate Mick Gavin as the two went for a West’s kick.

With the two Bulldogs out of play, West’s hooker Todd Hurrell pounced on the loose ball to open the scoring.

Kurri soon regrouped, though, and crossed for their first try when hooker George Nadaira put Luke Mercer over with a deft pass from dummy half.

Nadaira added the conversion to his ninth-minute penalty goal.

Former Knights star Daniel Abraham charged over the line after 20 minutes and Nick Dwan crossed about five minutes later when he ran on to a slick off-load by centre David Pangai.

The Rosellas stayed in the fight, though, and lock Colin Clarke leveled the scores 14-14 when he broke through the Bulldogs defence just before half time.

Kurri looked the stronger side for most of second half but didn’t score until the hour mark when Gavin scored in the corner to make it 18-14.

But Wests stole the lead when centre Jermaine Ale scooped up a loose ball and ran 70 metres to score and put his side in front 20-18 with 15 minutes on the clock.

When Bulldogs’ prop Marty O’Born jolted the ball loose in a crunching tackle on his opposite number Dan Quinn and Abraham scored a few plays later, Kurri looked to have won the game.

Wests remained in contention until the last minute, though, and it was only with dogged defence that Kurri held out a number of attacking opportunities to win 24-20.

Kurri will now play Central Charlestown in the minor semi final at St John Oval on Sunday, after the Butcher Boys lost 34-22 against Wyong.

Wyong dominated Central for most of their match and will get the opportunity to go to the grand final if they beat minor premiers Cessnock in the major semi final at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday.