The Bowral Blacks under-13s were narrowly defeated 7-nil in the Illawarra District Rugby Grand Final against Shoalhaven at WIN Stadium on the weekend.
In what was an absolutely enthralling contest highlighted by superb defence from both sides, Shoalhaven scored what was to be the winning converted try mid-way through the first-half after sustained pressure right from the kick-off.
In a game of two distinct halves, it was all Shoalhaven in the first stanza.
The Blacks' kicking game was not up to scratch, although to be fair, a lot of this was due to the intense pressure applied by Shoalhaven.
Bowral also made a couple of bad decisions with penalty kicks which did not help their cause.
Coaches John Healey and Peter Wheeler were happy to only be behind by seven at half-time.
From the start of the second-half it was Bowral's turn to turn up the heat, and most of the second-half had Shoalies camped in their own quarter.
The Bowral forwards threw everything they had at Shoalhaven and actually got over the line on two occasions but were denied by 50/50 decisions going against them.
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