With a few minutes left in yesterday’s Macarthur Conference rugby league grand final, Camden were leading Thirlmere by just four points.
But to the deafening chant of Rooster, Rooster, Rooster, Thirlmere were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the minor premiers in a last gasp effort to snatch a victory for the ages.
Camden had gone into the game hot favourites after a season in which they lost just one match and drew another.
That drawn match was with Thirlmere, who also lost three regular season matches to finish second.
But yesterday at Campbelltown Stadium the Roosters didn’t waste any time in making it crystal clear they weren’t going to give Camden a saloon passage to the premiership trophy.
Five minutes into the game, and after copping some brutal defence from the Rams, Thirlmere made a break down the left flank to score the opening try, which was converted.
The minor premiers stayed composed, despite the mild shock of finding themselves 6-0 behind on the scoreboard, and returned serve on the next set, scoring under the posts and converting.
In what was becoming as pulsating grand final, Thirlmere hit back with two more tries to go to a 14-6 lead midway through the first half.
The Rams pulled the score back to 14-12, and then, with seconds left on the clock, grabbed the lead by scoring another try of their own.
After an incredible first 40 minutes the teams trundled off to the dressing room with the score at 18-14 Camden’s way.
And was the Rams leading 26-18 with 23 minutes left on the clock in the second half – another brilliant display of rugby league.
Maybe Camden felt they could defend an eight point lead for more than 20 minutes, but it gave Thirlmere a hint that they were not out of it just yet.
With less than 10 minutes to go a brawl broke out in front of the grandstand and the Roosters came out of it with the penalty.
Thirlmere took play to the left, made a break and scored in the corner to make it 26-22, the conversion from the sideline unsuccessful.
With seven minutes left, their fans got into the act, chanting Rooster, Rooster, Rooster, which no doubt lifted the Thirlmere players on the field, who would have been close to exhaustion after such a herculean effort.
But this was nothing compared to the wild scenes in the stands when Thirlmere went in again, close to the corner again, to equal the score at 26-26.
Roosters fans held their breath as the ball sailed high and straight through the posts for a conversion and a two point lead to Thirlmere.
There were still two minutes and a few seconds to go, and Camden had a crack or two, but Thirlmere held on to become 2023 Macarthur Conference champions after their enthralling 28-26 victory.
Camden deserve credit for playing their part to produce such a top draw grand final.
The match was played in quite hot conditions thanks to the early burst of summer, but every player who took part in the grand final gave their all.
From numerous momentum shifts to punishing defence and ball movement, this grand final had it all.
And there were 10 tries scored, six to the Roosters and four to Camden, who also converted all of theirs.
Congratulations to all, but especially Thirlmere Roosters, deserved 2023 Macarthur Conference premiers.
