In a repeat of last year’s grand final and starting as hot favourites, Moruya dominated field position for the first 20 minutes, but failed to breach a tough Bega defence. Poor handling and loose passing cost the Sharks dearly.

Bega, having weathered the storm, was able to work its way into some good field position, eventually creating an overlap on the right edge to cross for a four pointer through Sean Bell. The conversion was missed.

The game was fast paced and both sides worked hard to gain ascendancy. Bega was able to post a second on the stroke of halftime when Dillon Aldridge pounced on a well-weighted kick to score in the eastern corner. The conversion was waved away and the teams headed to the sheds with Bega leading 8-0, despite having the worst of the field position.

The second half started well for the Sharks when Luc Hill crashed through the Bega defence and raced 40 metres up the field, with the Sharks on attack. They worked their way into good field position and gained two repeat sets as they peppered the Bega line.

Eventually the Roosters’ defence cracked in the 45th minute when Jake Clarke dummied to his support and stepped his way across the line to score 10 metres to the side of the sticks.

Aaron Brierley converted to have the Sharks trailing 8-6. The crowd sensed the momentum was with Moruya as their forwards started making many metres through the rucks.

It was Aaron Brierley who brought the biggest cheer from the Sharks supporters when Luke Jay passed to him at speed, and Brierley crashed over in the 51st minute. He converted his own try to give Moruya a 12-8 lead.

Bega heads were dropping and they weren’t helped by the way Mick Weyman and his forwards kept making strong charges up the middle.

However, as often happened, a dropped ball by the Moruya backline with the tryline wide open saw a quick counter Bega attack that went the length of the field, leading to a converted try and a 14-12 lead.

With 20 minutes to go, the game was on a knife edge. Bega threw everything they had at the Sharkies line but were repelled by desperate and resolute defence. In the 70th minute, Aaron Brierley crashed through the Bega line in a slashing 50-metre run that set up a try to his brother Caine, taking back the lead 18-14.

The game flowed up and down the paddock as both teams strived for the final prize. Bega had their final chance, putting up a cross-field bomb but spilled the ball.  From the turnover, Moruya worked their way up field and, in the 77th minute, David Gwynne served up a magic pass to Jake Clarke who crashed through for the match-winning try.

Michael Weyman was awarded Man Of the Match for his 30 hit-ups and similar number of tackles. It could easily have gone to Jake Clarke whose goal line defence stopped at least five Bega tries.  Others to shine included Shaun Staples and Jermaine Connolly who had strong games on the wing, as well as Luke Jay and Alex Stewart who worked their hearts out.

Coach Tim Weyman was ecstatic after the win, praising his players for a great team performance.  Weyman is the only Moruya coach to go back-to-back.

Club president Dave Farrell was also caught up in the emotion of the day, which began when his daughter Angela sang a beautiful and stirring rendition of the National Anthem.  Farrell also praised Shane Colebrook, Dennis Green and Caine Brierley, who have played in all four grand finals the Sharks have played in over the past five years.

“The grand final win capped off a perfect year with the Sharks winning the 9’s tournament, the minor premiership and the club championship,” he said.

The Sharks also have an exciting wait to see if their undefeated season will be rewarded by winning the prestigious CRL Clayton Cup, which goes to the best performed country side in NSW. The Sharks will hold their presentation night at the Moruya Golf Club on September 2.