CANOBOLAS High coach Trent Colley was left to lament poor completion rates and a host of handling errors after his side’s University Shield campaign was curtailed by Blayney High in controversial circumstances at Wade Park yesterday.

Deadlocked at 24-all after 60 minutes of ordinary time and then again at 30-all after 20 minutes of extra-time, referee Brandon Vidler awarded the match to Blayney High on a countback, due to the fact they were the first side to score.

Blayney coach Tony Tilburg said his side’s gritty win was testament to their determination in the absence of three of their most crucial pivots.

“I think we just wanted it more, it was a really gritty game and a good exhibition of schoolboy rugby league,” Tilburg said.

Canobolas completed only four of their 11 sets of six in the first half and allowed Blayney valuable field position on several occasions through untimely handling errors.

Junior NSW representative Jack Wighton showed glimpses of individual brilliance, but was for the most part outshone by his opposite number, Sam Mooney, for the majority of the encounter.

Tilburg said Mooney’s presence was instrumental in his side’s success and believed the talented five-eighth to be among the best for Blayney.

“Sam Mooney was outstanding, he’s been outstanding all year,” Tilburg said.

“I think the experience of playing NSW schoolboys has really helped his development and the experience is evident.”

Mooney scored once and had a hand in four of Blayney’s other five tries, as well slotting three conversions and kicking a timely 40-20 in the sixth minute of the match.

Colley was visibly disappointed as he consoled his players after the game, but was left to regret several missed scoring opportunities and ill-discipline around the ruck.

“Pretty disappointed with the result, we created plenty of opportunities, but yeah I’m extremely proud of all the boys and they represented the school really well,” Colley said.

BLAYNEY HIGH 30 (TJ Smith 2, David Brookes, Lewis Bird, Sam Mooney, John McKenzie tries; Mooney 3 goals) drew with CANOBOLAS HIGH 30 (Trent Leahey 2, Josh Annis-Brown, Matt Georgiou, Adam Jones, Sandon Gibbs-O’Neil tries; Annis-Brown 3 goals) after extra-time. Full time: 24-all. Blayney win on countback.