But Gundagai couldn't care less after the first tryscorer rule handed them the reserve grade premiership after a 10-all stalemate against Young on Sunday.

In a scrappy affair, Tigers halfback Chris Rose's try midway through the first half to open the scoring proved crucial as five minutes of extra time failed to separate the two sides.

Six minutes before half time Young equalised at 6-all when Nayah Freeman scored after good lead-up work from Thomas Woolford and David Shipp.

Midway through second half, Geoff Honey medallist Will Herring kicked a penalty goal to give Gundagai an 8-6 lead, before Casey Wall equalised for Young with a penalty goal of his own with six minutes left.

With two minutes remaining Young five eighth Woolford was penalised for stripping Gundagai centre Jack Elphick of the ball on his own try-line, and Herring made no mistake to give them a 10-8 lead.

However the Cherrypickers regained possession from the kick-off and after receiving a penalty with 30 seconds left, Wall nailed another clutch penalty goal after the siren to send the match into extra time.

Needing to score to claim the trophy Young halfback Jacob Lucas' field goal attempt hit the post after it was charged down, with the referee controversially ruling the Cherrypickers chasers offside.

"We've beaten each other once, I guess it was fitting it ended up a draw today," Tigers captain Mark Elphick said.

"For the crowd it was probably a little disappointing it had to finish 10-all, but it's credit to our boys as Young has virtually a first grade quality side.

"It was a battle of the forwards. Their pack is massive and we give away heaps of size and experience, but our boys hung tough."

Suspension meant Tigers five-eighth Herring could only watch on as his teammates beat Young in last year's grand final.

But the 21-year-old made up for lost time after his clutch goal-kicking proved crucial.

"It's unreal, it's my first grand final win," he said.

"I missed out last year and wanted to play some good footy this year."

"My legs were shaking (taking shots at goal) and the crowd was behind me, I'm just glad they went over."

Herring said the Tigers forwards deserved credit for going toe-to-toe with Young's bigger pack.

"Our go forward in the second half got us across the line. We didn't do it much in the first half but we started running at their line in pairs."

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