Taree City and Old Bar share the points in a classic encounter

“That’s my first field goal in a game – I’ve kicked a few at training,’’ Samuel said just after the match.

So ended the best game witnessed at the Neal Oval in a decade and possibly more. Taree City hit the lead via a Todd Bridge field goal at 25-24 with just on a minute remaining. But that was just the start of the drama. Old Bar tried a short kickoff and it worked and the Pirates carried the ball deep into Taree’s territory. There was a shot at a field goal, but it was woeful, although for whatever reason the Bulls decided to knock the ball dead, forcing a line drop. With about 19 seconds left on the clock the Bulls dropped the ball out but instead of going for distance the ball sailed to Samuel, who somehow managed to slot his field goal between the posts. It was later clarified that referee Cory Richardson – who had a busy afternoon, had awarded the one pointer.

The Pirates were the better side, winning the arm wrestle via their forwards, particularly prop Andrito Petolo, who was the best on ground. Co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler was a worker, especially in defence, while his coaching partner Danny Russell at halfback didn’t stop trying for the 80 minutes and was also spot on with his goal kicking. Samuel was another who enjoyed the heavy going as did second rower Jacob Stevenson.

Centres Clint Walker and Alan McDonald didn’t get that many opportunities because the Pirates spent much of the game chasing the ball. But when they did they troubled the defensive line – Walker’s combination with winger John Cook was particularly effective. Hooker Mike Fiall was another Pirate to shine.

It was a curious display from the Bulls. They had plenty of chances in attack and should have probed Old Bar’s left hand side more often. But they took too many wrong options when they were deep in Old Bar territory. Bridge at halfback was clever but also spent 10 minutes in the bin just before the break, a decision that infuriated the coaching staff, mainly because Richardson seemed to change his decision after initially awarding Taree a penalty.

Fullback Dean Mills is both quick and elusive, while his goal kicking wasn’t too shabby either. Second rower Will Clarke was good while winger Nayden Moriarty continues to impress. Club officials promised to check the video to see if an incident involving hooker Mick Henry that resulted in the number nine leaving the field with blood pouring out of a head wound deserves a check by the match review committee.

Danny Russell said the Pirates can’t string 80 minutes together.

“We've been like that all year,’’ he said.

"I thought our forwards dominated them, but we just had poor ball control. If we can get our act together with ball control, it's dangerous what we can do.’’

He agreed that Petolo had a massive match.

“He just carts the ball up for us.

“The result could have been better for us, but we’ll take the draw,’’ Russell added.

Taree City’s coach Gary Bridge was livid when he walked into the sheds. But he’d calmed down when he spoke to the Times.

“We didn’t lose, but we have a lot of busted players here now,’’ he said.

However, Bridge was still wondering what happened in the final play of the game when the Bulls had a line drop, believing his side should have soaked up play and not given the Pirates a sniff.

“The game was there to win. We let them score a couple of long range tries again. We did dominate field position, but we took some dumb options – I told them we had to take it to their left – that’s where we scored all our points, but a couple of times we just went the wrong way.’’

He said the Bulls now face a tough couple of matches against Macleay and Port City – both away.

“But it was a good game and that’s what people come to see,’ Bridge concluded.

Taree led 18-12 at the break, with prop Matt Taupe scoring in the opening minutes for Mills to convert. Sean Carr – another Pirate to have a strong game – laid on a try for Fiall and Russell slotted the conversion but a smart kick from Bridge saw Moriarty post the first of his two tries. Mills was successful from the sideline with his conversion.

Bridge then attempted a long pass against a compressed defence but Walker typically read it perfectly and took the intercept and Russell added the extras. Just before the break Bridge was instrumental in Moriarty’s second try and Mills continued his perfect record with the boot to give the Bulls a six point advantage at 18-12.

Walker and Cook combined for the centre to score his second for Old Bar after the resumption and Russell showed he had his kicking boots on by adding the conversion. The score remained at 18-18 until the Pirates spread the ball wide and Cook touched down for Russell to be again on line with the kick. With a dozen minutes remaining and 24-18, Old Bar were looking winners. But Taree interchange forward Michael Peachey then tore through tackles to score and Mills landed the goal, locking up the scores, setting up the thrilling finale. Taree City 25 (N Moriarty 2, M Taupe, M Peachey tries, D Mills 4 goals, T Bridge field goal) drew with Old Bar 25 (C Walker 2, J Cook, M Fiall tries D Russel 4 goals, Z Samuel field goal).

Reserve grade: Old Bar 30 defeated Taree City 24

Under 18: Taree City 20 drew with Old Bar 20

League tag: Old Bar 30 defeated Taree City 4.