But, not before having an Oakdale attack which saw the Workers level the decider in the final 20 minutes.

The Roosters defended their title, with a 33-22 victory over Oakdale, in front of a capped capacity crowd believed to be around 4000 people at Campbelltown Stadium on a perfect spring afternoon.

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The first 20 minutes saw both sides feeling each other out, with little action in terms of attack. Oakdale had the majority of the possession, and territory, but were unable to convert the chances into points.

The opening points of the game went to Thirlmere five eighth Damon New, who bagged a double in the space of two minutes, and the Roosters went to the first break with a surprise 12-0 lead.

The second quarter saw the game turned on its head, with several scuffles breaking out.

Thirlmere lost John Ryan to the sin bin, before the Workers scored through five eighth Luke Rouland.

He brought Oakdale back into the game, with a 12-6 scoreline as the half hour mark approached.

Shortly after, Thirlmere centre Justin Smith hit Rouland with what appeared to be a legal, and solid hit, but injured Rouland in the process.

Smith was sent off, while Rouland was taken off, and didn't return to the field.

Halftime saw Thirlmere leading 12-6, but the Roosters were not commanding the match, and with 12 men, many thought they would struggle to hold the lead against Oakdale.

However, the Roosters didn't read the script, with centre Josh Bryant scoring four minutes after play resumed.

That extended their lead to 16-6, before Oakdale worked their way back into the game, in what was a frantic period of play.

The Workers and Roosters traded tries for a passage of play, and with 20 minutes left, the scoreline read 22-16 to Thirlmere.

The final 20 minutes of the season was among the most dramatic seen in 2020 on a football field.

Neither side was willing to give any ground, with every possession proving vital.

Oakdale backrower Mitchell Gough scored on the right-hand side, and with Jake Steadman's conversion, the scores were level at 22, with 16 minutes left.

Jesse Jackson put the Roosters back in front with 12 minutes to go, and his try seemed to spark the Roosters back into life, as they held on to the lead grimly, with Oakdale throwing everything at them in the closing minutes.

Ailand Davis-Pihema iced the game with a field goal on 74 minutes, before a try to Kye Madden in the closing stages saw Thirlmere win 33-22.

Thirlmere were deserved winners on the day, but the Workers gave their all on the field, and can hold their heads up high following their efforts.

Coaches Brendan Reeves and Russell Lewis lamented missed opportunities from the Oakdale side, but praised Thirlmere as being too strong on Sunday afternoon.

The other results on the weekend saw Narellan win second grade, with a 24-8 victory over the Roosters.

Narellan also won the Women's League competition, with a 36-6 victory over Campbelltown City, while Camden defeated Thirlmere 22-18 in the Under 18's.

Narellan won third grade on Saturday evening with a 18-16 win over Highlands Storm, while Oakdale and Narellan won League Tag titles.

Other results:

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