In arguably the best grand final in Southern Inland history, Waratahs scraped home by two points to complete an unbeaten season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In by far their toughest test of the season, Waratahs were pushed all the way by cross-town rivals Wagga City.
They needed a late penalty goal from Angus Le Lievre to score the 28-25 win at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
While never headed in the decider, there was plenty of anxious moments for Waratahs supporters late in the second half.
The Boiled Lollies had a spring in their steps and were the better team for most of the second half but couldn’t quite cause the boilover.
After a penalty goal right on half-time saw Wagga City trail 21-13 at the break, they kept Waratahs on the back foot for most of the game.
Tries to Vili Cavuca and James Curgenven levelled things at 25-all with 10 remaining before Paul Dean awarded Waratahs a penalty 22 metres out and directly in front.
Le Lievre held his nerve and duly slotted the goal attempt to give his team the lead with two minutes left and it was enough for their 16th win of the year.
In the end Waratahs coach Will Mitchell was relieved to have completed the perfect season.
"I did say that grand finals are funny things and they rarely go to script but we are stoked,” Mitchell said.
“Credit to them, everytime we made a mistake they punished us and put pressure on us. We really got together as a team for just long enough in the end.”
Waratahs have taken all before them this season and it looked like the trend would continue in the early stages of the game.
Sam Bunny opened the scoring at eight minutes and Waratahs were in six minutes later when a long ball from Steve Tracey found Matt Meggison in wide open space.
Curgenven then got Wagga City on the board after kicking a penalty goal only for Waratahs to respond as Dave Armstrong put the ball down off the back of the scrum.
Armstrong’s try gave Waratahs a 19-3 lead after 24 minutes, but he would be the last man in sky blue to get over the line as the tide started to turn.
A beautifully weighted kick from Jayden Stanton found Eddie Lagaali under the posts to help Wagga City cut the margin to nine points and start to get the team back on track.
The half-time decficit was quickly eroded when Cavuca scored 11 minutes after the break but Waratahs just clung on for the win.
The thrilling victory in first grade capped off a perfect day for Waratahs, after winning all three men’s grand finals.
Waratahs also took out the club championship.
