As far as tales of underdogs surmounting all odds go, the Roosters have got that one in the bag.
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The Nambucca Roosters Reserves are the untold heroes of this year’s Group 2 season.
With injuries, suspensions and other knock-backs affecting the first grade numbers this season, the mighty Rooster Reggies have stepped up again and again to fill that void, playing two games a week round after round.
Noone thought it was possible, but the plucky fifth-placed Roosters vanquished team after team in their finals run, knocking over the first-ranked Comets in their wake in last week’s decider.
It's clear the extra work they’ve put in has led them to this very place as they stare off against the number two-ranked Panthers.
Coach Caryl Jarrett is the first female Reserve Grade coach in Group 2 history and it should be noted that her stoic leadership has guided the team to this moment.
As an interesting piece of trivia, the last time the Nambucca Reserves took out the Premiership was in 2011, under the helm of Caryl’s brother Craig.
Will we see a repeating of family history today? Stay tuned to find out…
Can’t make it to Coffs Harbour? Make sure you check back here for our rolling updates of the game.
Sawtell score early on in the first half and easily put away the conversion, giving the Panthers a 6-0 lead.
Nambucca no 5 Daniel Taylor opens up the score with a great try in the right-hand corner, taking the score to 6-4.
Nambucca’s Mitchell Whitelaw makes a spectacular 40 metre breakaway but it’s lost after a panicked kick which should have gone through the hands.
The wet weather is leaving this game wide open.
Sawtell’s veteran no. 3, Nathan Davies, barges over the line, making it a big 10-4 to the Panthers. Conversion unsuccessful.
Mitchell Whitelaw picks up a ground-grubber to superman over the line, taking Nambucca within two points of the lead.
Jai Whaddy gets the conversion for the Roosters evening up the score at 10-10.
The Roosters get their third in just before the half-time buzzer, giving them a six point lead into the second half.
After a passionate half-time speech, the boys are heading out for the second half like it’s 0-0.
Sawtell’s Todd Johnson puts another try away from a Nambucca error. 16-14, and a great kick from the sideline locks up the score again, 16 all.
Nambucca gets another set after forcing Sawtell to take the ball over their own back line.
A knock-on by Nambucca is quickly mopped up after forcing an error from the Panthers with a renewed defensive line.
With 18 minutes to go, Sawtell seems to be taking more possession of the ball. Nambucca needs to dig in deep and stop playing a defensive game if they want to win this.
Nambucca’s Steve Buttons is down and out. The stretcher is coming out on the field to take him off for the rest of the game.
Larnus Leisha takes his chances on a kick on the fifth, and Matt Field streaks through to pick it up and make another 10 metre dash before lopping it over the defensive line again. Dave Marchin takes it over the line for an absolute blinder.
Daniel Taylor converts the try easily, taking the Roosters to a 6 point lead with 10 minutes spare.
The crowd is going ballistic, the Roosters could have this.
Sawtell look tired, but the Roosters’ extra matches this season have put them in good stead to last the distance.
Two minutes to go and Roosters have a six point lead.
They’ve held on to it! They’ve done it! The Nambucca Roosters are the Reserve Grade premiers for 2018!
Congratulations boys, and congratulations to coach Caryl Jarrett – the first female reserve coach in Group 2 history who has taken her team to victory!
“It’s a dream come true,” Caryl Jarrett said.
“It’s a wave I’m gonna ride for a while.”
Read how our other teams went
Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
