NARRABRI got its 50th anniversary fairytale at Dangar Park on Saturday, with the Blue Boars surviving a late Pirates surge to get their hands on the Heath Shield for the first time since 2004.
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Pirates had the chance to almost steal it from them at the death and spoil the party but, with a big and parochial crowd behind them and their premiership dream on the line, the Blue Boars dug deep and held them out to triumph 25-19.
It was their first home grand final win since 1982 when they beat Quirindi in a similarly epic battle 10-9 and sparked jubilant scenes, with supporters rushing onto the field and swamping the players.
“Last year was a learning curve, this year was our year,” an elated Blue Boars co-coach Hunter Harley said.
This was the one they wanted.
“It’s unbelievable,” fellow coach Tom Cullen said.
He had been there before, coaching St Albert’s to the premiership, and also spoke of an immense sense of relief.
“We always knew we had the team to win,” he said.
The core was there from last year, and a few pick-ups like Sam Clements and Mitch Kelly, and a couple of tweaks such as moving Henri Knight into five-eighth, which then allowed them to shift Brenton Cochrane back to fullback, had only strengthened them.
Harley also alluded to their commitment.
“We’ve got blokes travelling 360km twice a week to get to training,” he said.
That commitment was called on in the final couple of minutes, with Pirates peppering their line for a try that would have given them a kick to win it.
But they kept repelling them and eventually drew a penalty for holding on.
“That’s what they talk about that wins premierships, that defence,” Harley said.
They led from the fourth minute of the game and got out to 18-3 at one stage in the first half but couldn’t really shake Pirates off.
“I knew it would go up to the 80th minute,” Harley said.
“But I didn’t want it to be that close.”
That was the story of the day, with the Blue Boars’ six-point win the biggest of the day.
It started with Scone – for the second week in a row – scoring in the final seconds, to snatch the second grade plate honours 18-15 over Gunnedah.
Moree then held firm under some late fire from Pirates to make it back to back second grade titles 13-9.
The Brumbies firsts then capped a great day for the club, overturning a 13-point half-time deficit to roll Walcha 23-20.