The Elks were leading 6-3 but knew the students would hit back which is exactly what they did with a try near the post right before half time to arrive at the half time score of 10-6 to the students.

At half time the key message was to remain calm and keep playing the same way as except for the bounce of the ball the Elks could have been ahead.

The second half soon developed into a gripping affair with both quality teams pulling out all stops in their final half of football for the season. The students continued to apply their clever game plan of kicking the ball to the Elks and daring them to counter attack this approach paid off with a try soon after the break which was converted to skip Albies out to a 17-6 lead.

In a reflection of the Elks character this season they did not drop their heads but again grafted their way back into the game and secured another penalty at the 45 minute mark which was converted by Bailey to reel the score back to 17-9.

At the 50 minute mark captain Sam Baker had his already Roman nose rearranged and had to leave the field for a blood bin replacement. On his return to the field the Elks were awarded a short arm penalty 30 metres out, the Elks commitment to training was highlighted by the forwards presenting quick recycled ball to Bailey and his well drilled backs. Bailey threw a perfectly weighted cut out pass to flying outside centre Pat Hoppe who crossed the try line untouched and ran the ball around to make Bailey’s conversion easier for a 17-16 score line.

With 20 minutes to go it was a one point game.

St Alberts have only lost one game in the last two years, to the Elks in the semi-final, and they showed why in the championship section of the game. In the last quarter the students played mistake-free football and turned the tables on the Elks by testing their defence in their own half.The Elks defence cracked at the 62 minute mark and despite being scored out wide it was converted to take them to the final score of 24-16.

The Elks players had not left anything in the cupboard and had played themselves to a standstill but to their credit the students had weathered the Elks commitment and showed why they were worthy minor premiers and now premiers.

Although very disappointing, the Elks took their loss on the chin and were quick to congratulate the opposition especially as despite a tight tussle the game was incident free and played in the right spirit. Of the three games played during the day, the Elks had provided the stiffest opposition as St Alberts finished a stellar year with comprehensive wins in first, second and third grade.

After the Elks game the new Bellevue Oval facility was officially opened and the New England zone can now boast one of the best rugby facilities in NSW.