Finally, after years of heartbreak at the hands of Thirlmere/Tahmoor, the Dragons beat their nemesis 24-22 in a nail-biter at Community Oval yesterday.

In doing so, Moss Vale announced themselves as genuine title contenders, having knocked off the top two teams in the past fortnight and finally overcome the Roosters.

But the Dragons didn’t have it all their own way.

With the match locked at 18-18 and 15 minutes still on the clock, Moss Vale centre Tim Small scooped up a wayward Roosters pass and scooted up field to score under the posts.

Interchange forward Daniel Washbourne converted to extend the lead to six points, 24-22.

Minutes later, the Dragons had the opportunity to kick a penalty goal, but they opted for a try.

Then they could have gone for a field goal, but they opted for a try.

But the only team that scored in the dying minutes was Thirlmere when hooker John Rae dived over next to the uprights.

The Roosters needed to convert from beside the uprights to draw the match, but the kick rocketed into the goal post and was waved away by the touch judges.

Finally, lady luck smiled on Moss Vale.

As the fulltime siren sounded after what seemed like an hour-long second half, Moss Vale's fans stood up, breathed a sigh of relief and cheered their chargers.

The Dragons did it the hard way but they finally conquered their Thirlmere demons and have, hopefully, buried some of the skeletons of years past.