Some late magic from Nathan Rose has helped Southcity to a thrilling come-from-behind win in the grand final rematch against Gundagai on Sunday.
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The Tigers led 20-0 with no time left on the clock in the first half before the Bulls finally found their feet.
In hot conditions at Anzac Park, Southcity held their rivals tryless in the second stanza.
They hit the front for the first time with only two minutes remaining after a brilliant piece of football from Rose.
He busted out of a tackle attempt from Joel Field in his own half before storming up the middle of the field and kicking ahead for Steven Tracey on the wing to score.
In a desperate last minute Gundagai finished metres out from their own line, but couldn’t find a way overas Southcity claimed a 28-22 victory.
In his first game as Bulls captain-coach Kyle McCarthy was thrilled by how his team recovered to nab victory.
“It was unreal,” McCarthy said.
“It was panic stations there for a bit, but I knew with the pre-season we had we had the fitness to come back.”
It was a horror first half for the premiers as the Tigers dominated.
Gift plenty of possession, Gundagai raced out to a 20-0 lead with tries to James Smart, James Curgenven and a double to Noa Fotu putting the Tigers in the box seat heading into the break.
However with no time left on the clock a move off a scrum in their own half resulted in Southcity getting on the board when Tracey scored after the half-time siren.
After describing the first half as shocking, McCarthy thought the try helped shift the momentum.
“I think going in 20-0 would have been pretty hard and Gundy would have come out pretty fired up but I think 20-4 sorta scared them a little bit,” he said.
“That early try in the second half put some doubt in their mind and got us confident again.”
Tries to Pani Manawatu and McCarthy had the Bulls within four points with 26 minutes remaining.
Smart extended Gundagai’s lead with a penalty goal before Jack Lyons flew down the touchline to score with five minutes to play after the Bulls earned a repeat set.
The Tigers were just in front after Tracey missed the sideline conversion until Rose delivered the match-winning play
McCarthy was amazed with the five-eighth’s influence.
“He is just so good with the ball and you just want him coming in looking for it,” he said.
“He come to the opposite side to what he normally plays on and cut them open through the middle.
“I am really proud of him for that.”
The Bulls are now unbeaten through the first two rounds while the Tigers are yet to taste victory.
Southcity now tackle Cootamundra in a top of the table clash while Gundagai travels to face winless Young.