EXTRAORDINARY scenes unfolded last Sunday at Centenary Field when Albion Park Eagles returned to the change rooms after beating minor premiers Warilla 25-22 in the 2009 VB South Coast Group Seven first grade rugby league grand final in stoic fashion.
After a fearless, and pre-mediated assault starting within the first five minutes, Eagles centre Aaron Lucas sauntered across after two terrific passes out wide from pivot and man of the match Wade Walsh and scrum halfback Matt Carroll.
Another five minutes and the Eagles were in again when a whirlwind run from dummy-half by custodian Danny Satori resulted in the lithe speedster racing nearly the full length of the ground to score a 75 metre try after weaving his way behind the ruck and into open space.
In front of a poor crowd of 2,873 and with indifferent and at times haphazard form, the Gorillas finally clawed their way back into the contest when a turnover from the kick-off saw skipper Aaron Henry scurry across.
Then at the 22nd minute the Gorillas raced ahead when Hutchinson sent Tyson Brown dashing over out wide before skipper Henry made a mighty break up the middle of the ruck to score which allowed pivot Chris Henry to add his extras for the minor premiers to lead 12-10.
The last 15 minutes of the first half virtually sealed the game for the Eagles. Whilst in full attack and looking certain to score, a stray pass from Gorilla pivot Henry led to Eagles half Carroll intercepting and dispatching centre Matt Leadbetter for a runaway try that gave the lead back to the Eagles 14-12 at halftime.
Straight after the break, the Eagles were in again when prop forward Derek Gray bulldozed his way over then winger Matt Stone darted over before Carroll added a field goal to forge ahead 25-12.
To their credit, the shell-shocked Gorillas fought back strongly with Watson scoring a converted try to make it 25-18 then pivot Henry looked certain to score but Eagles fullback Danny Satori arrived late on the scene and dramatically punched the ball out of Henry's hands as he went to dive over.
From the line drop-out, the Gorillas took advantage again of the tiring Eagles when Watson crossed over for his second match try in the dying moments to close the scoreline 25-22 in thrilling fashion.
Walsh, Hooper and Lucas were the best for the winners and the Henry brothers with Andy Gent were mighty for the losers.
In the reserve grade grand final, Berry-Shoalhaven Heads lock forward Danny Siddons booted his team to a premiership-winning field goal in golden point extra time to defeat minor premiers Warilla Gorillas 21-20.
The win gave the Magpies their first premiership in 42 years and their first ever reserve grade title.
The Magpies raced to a 20-6 halftime lead before the Gorillas couragously fought back to level the scores at 20-20 with three minutes remaining.
The Gorillas had their chances and a last minute dash by pivot Shane Withers on a lightning sprint of 40 metres nearly salvaged the game however, Withers was sensationaly cut down by Magpie winger Lloyd Williamson who covered more ground than Walla Walla to bring Withers down within centimetres of the Magpie tryline as the full time siren rang out to close an exciting encounter.
A fairytale performance from Culburra Dolphins resulted in the giant killers defeating hot favorites Kiama Knights 38-26 in the Under 18s grand final.
In an exciting, albeit penalty-ridden game, the Dolphins played brilliantly and deserved their win as halfback Adam Quinlan once again led the way forward with able assistance coming from his two menacing centres Lachlan Dickson and Joel Deaves that gave Culburra a solid 20-16 lead at the break.
Kiama came back to level at 20-all then the Dolphins forged ahead 28-20 before a Quinlan chip and chase put interchange star Travis Green over.
Kiama tried hard but the Culburra lads were more determined and focused and deserving their grinding victory and sensational season.
Greenwell Point defeated Warilla 26-14 in the grand final of the 2009 VB South Coast Group Seven Regan Cup.
It was the Pirates' second straight premiership in this competition and after leading 20-8 the Pirates were never headed with inspirational efforts coming from veteran John Carey, Matt Rouen, Billy McKenna and Shaun Baulch throughout the closely fought contest.
It was a rough day for the Gorillas, they featured in three grand finals and lost the lot however, they are a club definitely on the move and they'll be better for the experience this year and certainly will figure in the standings once again next season.
Meanwhile, former Milton-Ulladulla Bulldog second-row forward Luke O'Donnell has retained his place and was selected last week in the Australian Prime Minister's X111 to take on Papua New Guinea later this month and Gary Warburton will pack down for the NRL Canterbury Bulldogs in this Friday night's sudden-death prelininary semi-final against Parramatta.
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