Hopes of a Murray League grand final win for the Deni Rams were dashed in both football and netball on Saturday.
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In a hotly contested series of matches at the Moama Recreation Reserve, the Rams reserve footballers and C-grade netballers went in with plenty of grit and determination.
Both were unfortunately bested by their opponents, with the one point loss in the reserves particularly heartbreaking for the blue and gold army.
Reserves
The day had come for the Rams Reserve’s grand final against Mulwala.
It was a tough contest all day, with Zac Free snagging the first two goals of the game. Jack Tyndall, playing his two hundredth club game, dominated and was our best player for the day.
Jayden Pitts also held up strong in the backline, who was also celebrating his three hundredth club game.
The Rams knew Mulwala would match their goals, barrelling in to contest after contest to lead at every change.
It was going to be tough if Deni were to win, but they had to take some risk with their run and carry.
With five minutes to go in the last quarter, Mulwala kicked two quick goals to be level, they got the ball back inside fifty and scored a point with a minute to go.
The Rams boys moved the football well to have it inside the fifty, the ball became congested and held up with tackling, the siren went, seeing the Rams falling short by a point.
It was a great effort by all, it was expected to be a tough battle for a grand final, the Rams did everything they could and fought hard to claim their spot to compete in the grand final.
Final Scores: Mulwala 07.10 (52) def Deni Rams 08.03 (51)
Best Players: Jack Tyndall, Clay Howe, Zac Free, Jayden Pitts, Darcy Cullenward, Darcy McManus.
Goals: Zac Free (2) Aiden Free (2) Brett MacDonald (2) Darcy McManus (1)
C-Grade:
For the Rams C-Grade girls it was a privilege to play on grand final day, where spectators witnessed a clash of youth versus experience, with experience ultimately triumphing on the day.
The Rams battled hard throughout the match and had moments of brilliance that showcased their talent and determination.
However, to secure a win in a grand final, the girls needed to maintain that consistency of brilliance over the entirety of the game.
Finishing as second best is still an achievement to celebrate, and the team should be proud of their efforts and the journey they have taken this season.
Final score: Tongala 46 def Deni Rams 23.
Grand final wrap up
Congupna ended a 31-year senior premiership drought with a thrilling one-point win over Finley in one of the most extraordinary finishes.
Rumbalara ended a drought of their own in the A-grade netball, triumphing over Moama by nine goals to clinch their first top-flight premiership since 2008.
Mulwala made amends for the extra-time heartbreak of last year in the reserves, winning in extra-time themselves this year against Deniliquin by a solitary point.
Tongala earned a treble of flags in the B-grade, C-grade and C-Reserve netball, as did Moama in the under-17, under-15 and under-13 deciders.
Mulwala and Cobram faced off in both the under-14 and under-17 football grand finals, each securing one flag, the Lions in the under-14s and the Tigers in the under-17s.