Blacks president Tony Fountain said it had been hard year for the club but Bowral was in the black financially and the club was on path to rebuild in 2010.

Bowral didn’t field a first grade team for the first time in decades, as a number of 2008’s players left to join other clubs, retired or moved interstate.

But had a few close games gone the other way, Bowral could have been in the semi-finals.

Against Kiama, the game ran 30 minutes late as the two teams waited on the referee, but Bowral started well and piled pressure on the visitors.

Winger Jake Moore scored a memorable try midway through the first term.

The young gun stepped inside his opposite number, ran to the fullback, chipped over, regathered and raced away to score under the posts.

Bowral scored again late in the first period following a rolling maul that saw prop Ben Lewis dive over.

The front rower finished the season as an unlikely second-highest try scorer.

Bowral scored again after halftime when skipper Cory Ahling got another try for the forward pack.

The Blacks conceded a few late tries but they still won 15-12.

Coach Val Tyson said he was excited by the prospects of having a colts team next year but a number of the younger players had already proved they could handle senior grade rugby.

“Even with a colts team next year, some of these young men will not be well served by going back to the age group competition,” Tyson said.

“Among those who I think should remain in the grade ranks are Ben Lewis (prop/hooker) Chris Newman (prop) Jake Moore and James O’Connor (wing) and Jack Gates.

Tyson said he intended to start a summer training squad to help players maintain their fitness and skills and seek any interested players for 2010.