The Boiled Lollies haven’t enjoyed success in top tier success since 1974 but couldn’t finish off a second half comeback to fall to Waratahs 28-25.

Despite overpowering Waratahs in the second half they couldn’t find the knockout blow to fall three points short of a creating a massive boilover.

Their cross-town rivals hadn’t been beaten all year but almost let the one that matters most slip as the Boiled Lollies scored the only two tries of the second half.

It looked like the usually reliable goalkicker James Curgenven would put City in front for the first time in the game when he scored with around 10 minutes to play before missing the conversion attempt to leave the two teams locked at 25-all.

Waratahs then worked the ball down the field and a penalty goal from Angus Le Lievre proved to be the difference.

Coach Nathan Honeyman was just left to ponder what could have been with so little between the two teams at the end.

“We were always in it throughout the entire game and knew that we were able to run out the 80 minutes and were a lot fitter than then but sometimes we got a bit excited and our execution wasn’t good enough in the last couple of minutes.”

Eddie Lagaali was among his team’s best, leading the attacking charge while also containing the threat of the Waratahs back line, who failed to score a try in the grand final.

The forward pack was stood tall with Rivcoll Old Boys Medal winner Sean Kearns saying they kept bashing Waratahs throughout the game.

Despite falling short in the decider, it has been a year of big improvement for the Boiled Lollies.

They failed to make the top tier last year before being re-engerised in Honeyman’s first year at the club.

Finishing the home and away season in fourth, the Boiled Lollies battled through three do-or-die semi-finals just to make it to the last day of the season.

Honeyman is proud of what they have been able to achieve.

“It would have been a fantastic way to end that dream, considering a lot of people had us down near the bottom of the ladder but these boys have got a lot of guts and determination.

“I am really proud of them and proud of the club.”

Honeyman believes the narrow loss while only make the team hungrier for more success next year.

“We will definitely come back stronger and know what we need to do,” he said.

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