The defence of the Dunedoo Swans has been the backbone of their success throughout 2020 and they were forced to call on it again after holding off Gilgandra Panthers for a 16-10 win in the Christie and Hood Castlereagh Grand Final.
The match was a tight one, both on the scoreboard and on the field with the two sides evenly matched in every department.
Dunedoo went on the attack early but a scrambling Gilgandra defence was able to hold them out until they spilled a high ball for Swans winger Jarrod Toole to score for a 4-0 lead.
The Panthers replied three minutes later when a passing rush down the left flank resulted in diminutive winger Tyler Bamblett going over in the corner to make it 4-all. The Swans took a 6-4 lead into the break after the Panthers conceded a penalty right on halftime.
The Swans took the game by the scruff of the neck after crossing for two tries in the opening eight minutes of the second half. Centre Will Wood scored out wide shortly after play resumed before halfback Tim Condon scooped up a grubber kick and dived over from close range to set up a 16-4 lead.
The Swans then stepped up their defence with the Panthers only able to break through once on the back of a charging run from Ned Kelly with three minutes to go to reduce the deficit to 16-10.
The final few minutes were nerve-wracking for supporters of both sides but in the end the Swans held on create club history after claiming two Castlereagh League premierships in one year.
Earlier results saw Cobar Roosters go back to back after beating Coonamble Bears 18-16 in the Youth League Grand Final while the Dunedoo Swanettes came from behind to beat the Baradine Magpiettes 26-22 in the League Tag Grand Final.
