In a turnaround for the books, the side, which claimed fourth spot on the points table, upset the minor premiers and competition favourites 2-1 in a low-scoring affair.

Sovereign Hills defeated James Turnham Fitness 5-3 in the major semi-final while The Settlers Inn had to fight tooth and nail.

A win over Port Macquarie Workwear (Chad McCarron scoring a hat-trick) set up a showdown with James Turnham Fitness.

The “fitness crew” had accounted for Settler’s the week before to the tune of 8-6 and beaten them throughout the season.

But, the mid-week grand final qualifier was locked at 2-all at the break.

Fitness then jumped out to a 5-3 lead and the game was in their keeping.

However, someone forgot to tell Aaron Ison and Adrian Daley jnr, who found holes in the defence to level it all up at 5-all.

Fitness struck again but two late tries to Settler’s sealed a berth in the decider on the back of a 7-6 victory.

On Friday night, the underdogs got stuck in early and upset Sovereign’s rhythm.

This allowed Settler’s to post a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

That scoreline remained until late in the match when Sovereign’s touched down – and started to haul its way back into the game.

The outfit went close time and time again, only to be denied by outstanding scrambling defence.

In the end, The Settlers Inn hung on and captured the title with a 2-1 win.

Ison and Daley jnr were again stand-outs for the victors, and youngster Jack Lewis enjoyed a spectacular debut season with the side, while Sovereign Hills was best-served by Wayne and Peter Gleeson and Paul Seward.

“The high standard of matches was also due to the performances of the referees on the night,” association president Chris Veech said.

“And, in the big ones in particular, Ben Turnbull, Bruce Farthing and Peter Lowe were outstanding.”

A report on the other games will appear in Friday’s Port News.

Winter nomination forms are available on the club’s web site www.portmacquarietouch.com

The men’s and mixed competitions start on April 19 and 21 respectively.

The club contact number is 0427 811 181 if you require any further details.