The Yass Rams' stunning late-season charge came to an end in the first final of the year at Taralga yesterday, where they went down to the home side, 26-21.
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The Rams, who had won four consecutive matches to round out the regular season, came into the finals as dark horses. The Taralga Tigers, meanwhile, had lost the last two rounds of the year, which left Yass with all the momentum coming into Saturday's game.
However, that narrative would not continue as the Tigers put their vast finals experience to good use in front of a vocal home crowd.
After an even start between the two sides, with a try apiece early in the first half, things appeared to swings Yass's way. Though Taralga pulled ahead with a field goal, the Rams responded with a try to go up 14-10.
But that lead would not last long, as the Tigers scored another try shortly before half time which gave them a 17-14 lead at the break.
That lead was consolidated early in the second half with a penalty goal to the Tigers, who had come out after intermission with a renewed focus on taking advantage of every opportunity for a penalty goal.
Yass briefly snatched the lead again with another try, and consistently looked threatening with the ball in hand late in the match. After a Rams try with five minutes remaining was disallowed by the referee due to a forward pass, two late penalty goals to Taralga sealed victory for the home side.
"Taralga is always a tough place to win and doing it twice in two weeks proved to be a bridge too far for the Rams yesterday who went down 26-21 in a solid effort against some quality opposition," the Rams said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Despite the narrow loss, the team enjoyed a season to be proud of and showed immense improvement, the club said, which has laid the foundations for more success in future seasons.
"2021 has been a successful season for a young Rams side who found some real form this year and will only get better in the years to come," the Rams said.
Meanwhile, the Ewes played out a less competitive final, up against Juggernauts of the Development 10s competition, Wests.
Though they lost, 82-5, the scorecard did not tell the full story as an injury-depleted Yass team was left with just nine players, and put on a valiant performance in the face of overwhelming odds.
The club has confirmed that it will hold its presentation night on Saturday, September 18. Further details will follow in the coming weeks.
