One minute to play, one point behind, and one kick at goal. This was the scenario facing Rams halfback and goal kicker Brady Kingan as he stared up at the posts, 38 metres out, right in front.

Unfortunately Brady pulled the kick to the right and the Rams lost the grand final of the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition 12-11 to Cromwell.

No one will blame the halfback, who’d had a terrific match, steering his side around the paddock with his educated left boot, distributing beautifully, and putting his body on the line on defence.

It just wasn’t to be.

Rams captain Fergus Smith leads from the front as he looks to offload in the tackle.

“We took it right down to the wire yet again,” Rams head coach Garry-John Hape said. Garry-John was referring to the Rams last visit to Cromwell earlier in the season when the Rams also missed a kick in the dying minutes, losing by just one point.

The Rams started the match with a breeze at their back and enjoyed the advantage of good field position for much of the first half. They were rewarded with a try in the 18th minute to loose forward Jaiden McDonald in the right hand corner, following a break by impressive No. 8 Sam Calder. Brady’s conversion hit the post.

Wing Simon Page was solid under the high ball.

Three minutes later Brady kicked a penalty to extend the Rams lead to 8-0. Cromwell had had few opportunities but when presented with one later in the half they scored to make the halftime score 8-5 to the Rams.

The second half was an arm wrestle with neither side gaining the upper hand. Cromwell missed a penalty attempt in the 50th minute and in the 62nd minute Brady extended the Rams lead to 11-5 with a well taken penalty goal.

The Rams were immediately back on attack threatening the Cromwell line when the ball was turned over in a ruck, and Cromwell found space to scamper the length of the field. The Rams scrambled well on defence but could not prevent a try in a handy kicking position. The conversion made it 12-11 with 10 minutes to play.

Rams fullback Henry Schikker was a constant threat on the counter attack.

The Rams lost two crucial lineout throws in the dying minutes after hooker Scott Cunningham had been substituted, thwarting their late efforts to win the match.

“We competed, some turnovers didn’t go our way, they were crucial moments. It was just unfortunate, we built some great strong phases to give ourselves a chance but testament to them playing off the ball, they got that snatch which put them down the other end of the field and they were able to score,” Garry-John said.  

The Rams loose forward trio of Sam Calder, Jaiden McDonald and Jackson Campbell had fine games, Brady Kingan was terrific at halfback and second five Oliver Stirling was back to his best in midfield.

It was a match befitting a final. Both sides played some wonderful rugby, entertaining a large crowd at Anderson Park, and it was oh so close. Cromwell deserves the title, the team was unbeaten throughout the season, and able to withstand the best the Rams could throw at it.

The Upper Clutha Rugby Club can take a lot of heart from the performance of their premier side this year with a strong nucleus of players expected to return in 2022. New coach Garry-John Hape almost delivered a fairy tale result in his first season at the helm, his experience will benefit the club further next season.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App