THE South West Rocks Marlins' Blair brothers, Owen and Stephen proved to be the difference in the side's 24-18 win over Lower Macleay Magpies in the Hastings League grand final on Saturday.
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The pair combined to score the decisive try in the dying minutes of the match at Lank Bain Complex, Wauchope in a thrilling decider.
Stephen kicked for Owen to bag his second try of the afternoon.
They went with two tries to Sam Rouse.
The Blair pair kicked a goal each.
Luke Dufty scored two tries and kicked three goals for the Magpies. Corey Grigg also found the line.
The Blairs capitalised on a good platform laid by the Marlins' forward pack. They battled with Lower Macleay's engine room all afternoon.
"The forwards clash was exciting," Hastings League president Geoff Connor said. "And the Blairs, they've got so much speed."
Connor described the match as one of the best deciders he'd seen in a while.
"It was bloody excellent," he said.
The Magpies attacked right to the end, but they just couldn't get over the line and tip the scales in their favour.
They led for much of the afternoon, before the Marlins fought back to 16-16.
Magpies kicked a penalty to lead 18-16 and with the premiership in sight, but the Marlins put on two more tries to snatch victory.
Drew was awarded the 2WAY FM player of the match.
The five eighth had an outstanding game.
Lake Cathie Raiders won the Bun Hayward Cup 34-18 over Harrington Hurricanes.
The league's presentation night is set down for Saturday at the Wauchope Country Club.
