After enduring three years of grand final heartbreak, Walcha are finally celebrating after outlasting the Harbour Knights in an absorbing New England grand final at Scully Park on Saturday.
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It was fourth time lucky for the Rams as they triumphed 24-19 to inscribe their name on the Sawers Shield for just the second time and break their 20+-year premiership drought.
Chasing their first silverware since 1997 (when the side containing coaches Hyde Thomson and Barry Hoy won the Central North competition), there would have been a few nerves when with a-minute-and-half to go, and trailing by just five points the Knights were attacking inside the Rams' half.
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But the Rams' defence had been pretty good all game and they forced the ball free, and then just wound down to the clock.
The scenes of jubilation after the final whistle showed how much it meant to the players. Many of them have been part of the last three grand final losses.
Rams captain Sandy Cameron touched on their previous disappointment in his post-match speech.
"It's been a bit of a road to try and get on the right side of the scoreboard on the big day," he said.
"And it's not just been the blokes sitting here today but the coaching staff, the players that have played the last four years that have set the tone and the culture that makes the club so great and makes everyone so proud to play for it."
Finishing with a 'you beauty' and a fist pump, addressing his players, he said: "A big effort today boys, we played the 80 minutes and we came out on the right side of the board this time".
The Rams drew first blood, Henry Leslie scoring as they worked the short side after some good pressure and continuity. Charlie Keen added the extras from near the sideline, reading the wind perfectly.
Tim Anderson ducked over from a quick tap to level the scores a few minutes later.
But two penalties to Keen gave the Rams a 13-7 buffer at the break.
The Knights struck early in the second half to close back within a point and set the tone for what was a pulsating second half.
The Rams kicked away again courtesy of Ed Cordingley after a strong carry from Simon Newton had got them on the front foot. That then opened up the space outwide and a couple of phases later Newton drew in the Knights winger and freed up Cordingley, who had too much pace.
Keen was unable to add the extras this time, but a few minutes later booted his third penalty to put the Rams up 21-12 with just over 20 to play.
They looked to be really starting to find their rhythm but a spilled ball while hot on attack gave the Knights a chance to counter-attack and resulted in Anderson going over for his second to cut the Rams' lead back to two.
Keen gave them a bit more of a cushion with 10 minutes to go with his fourth penalty of the game, and from there it was just a matter of grinding it out and defending for all their might.
