It was a clash with so many swings of momentum that the players looked to have whiplash, particularly after the Rams started quickly and racked up a 14-7 lead midway through the first half. 

However, soon after the Boars caught a second wind and broke through the Rams’ defence twice in quick succession, to go into the half-time break leading 21-14. 

This lead was consolidated only seconds after the half time break when a kick from the Rams rebounded off an opposition player and landed near the tryline, where it was duly grounded and converted to take the score to 28-14. 

One more unconverted try to the Boars left Yass reeling and seemingly out of the contest.

However, it was at this point that the Rams began to display the determination which has been a feature of this season. 

Thus began a passage of play which resulted in Yass scoring 19 points to the Boars’ one. 

With ten minutes to go, and the scores sitting at 34-33 in favour of Batemans Bay, the Yass team were rearing to go. 

There were several attempts to cross the line, which were stifled by a desperate Boars’ defense and some unlucky refereeing decisions, and the minutes dwindled until the buzzer rang as Yass lined up a penalty kick from 40 metres out which would win the game. 

Unfortunately, the distance and the pressure were too great for Rams number four, Michael Regan, and the kick sailed just wide as the Boars celebrated on the tryline. 

Rams captain, Xavier Copeland, was disappointed to have lost another close game, and said that it was the one-percenters which were the culprits. 

“Just our discipline really killed us today, we piggybacked them way too much,” Copeland said. 

“We definitely need to work on keeping onside, we basically helped them all the way down the field.” 

However, Copeland is aware that his team is in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and is pleased with the progress they have made so far. 

“A complete rebuild, which is really good,” Copeland said. 

“We got some young speedsters bringing some depth to our back line, and some leadership as well. 

“I think we’re gonna be pretty good contenders coming into the season.” 

Next week will see the Rams take on last year’s premiers, Crookwell, in Crookwell. 

It is a sizeable ask, but Copeland is confident that the team are ready to keep challenging top sides as they have done consistently this year. 

“We’ve taken on the other grand finalist, which was Taralga, to come within three points of them,” he said. 

“To go against Crookwell is going to be the next matchup, and I think that’s going to be very close. 

“We’re just edging the gap on everyone at the moment.”