A CONTROVERSIAL ending to the 2014 Group 10 under 18s grand final has marred Orange Hawks' thrilling 14-12 victory over a hugely unlucky Cowra Magpies.
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With the two blues leading by two points inside the final two minutes of the Sid Kallas Oval decider, Cowra was awarded a penalty within striking distance for Magpies goal-kicker Tim Middleton.
With time winding down, Middleton's attempt sailed wide however went dead in goal which would normally result in the Magpies re-gaining possession via a 20 metre drop out.
But as Cowra steadied itself for the restart of play, confusion reigned when a call from the referee resulted in Hawks tap kicking the ball instead.
With less than a minute on the clock the crucial moment in the grand final meant Cowra didn't enjoy another crack at the Hawks' line, with the two blues holding on to win by two points and claim the club's first under 18s title since 1996.
VIDEO: What Cowra Magpies coach Will Ingram had to say:
Acknowledging luck was firmly in their side's corner, Hawks co-coaches Lawrence Fogg and Jared Brodrick were overwhelmed by the win, redemption of sorts after the Magpies claimed last year's under 18s crown over the two blues at Wade Park.
"I nearly passed out there at the end," Brodrick said.
"It was an unreal win," Fogg added.
"The boys dug deep there at the end."
VIDEO: The Cowra Magpies two tries in the second half:
Cowra coach Will Ingram said the refereeing bungle at the end was devastatingly disappointing, but couldn't fault the effort of either side.
"You'd think someone of that experience would know the rules, but I can't take anything away from the boys," Ingram said.
"We've just got to move past it. Blokes get things wrong, and unfortunately it's cost Cowra a grand final."
Racing to a 10-0 lead through consecutive tries to Steve Khattar, Hawks looked likely to run away with the win but a defiant Cowra managed to collect two relatively lucky tries themselves - the first through Rick Nobes then again through Middleton - to edge ahead 12-10 with 14 minutes remaining.
Hawks hit back after Cowra fullback Bradyn Cassidy lost possession in the in-goal, Ryan Hamling pouncing on the loose ball to push the two blues back in front 14-12.
VIDEO: Orange Hawks' victory song:
A game littered with bruising defence from both sides, Hawks prevailed with halfback Tony Pellow deemed man of the match.
"I'm overwhelmed, over the moon," Pellow said.
"It was a big hard game, we struggled in the end but the boys held in and dug deep. I couldn't feel any better.
"We were back bigger and better this year, the Hawkies, and I just can't get over it."
ORANGE HAWKS 14 (Steve Khattar 2, Ryan Hamling tries; Jye Barrow goal) def COWRA MAGPIES 12 (Rick Nobes, Tim Middleton tries; Middleton 2 goals).
