Trailing the Bulls through the first half hour of the final, claiming the lead with a try on the half-time whistle, they were headed again by Wallamba, 16-12, after 56 minutes. Levelling again at 19-19 after 68 minutes, the Ratz then stormed home with two converted tries for splendid victory.

Never let it be said that the Ratz lack courage or character. They were tremendous. And on the hill among the splendid crowd watching were the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins, the team they will meet in the grand final at Tuncurry next Saturday. Perhaps, for a few moments, Dolphin hearts quailed.

Capitalising on their substantial scrum weight superiority and their home ground's following wind in the second half, their front row reshaped with the inclusion of the man from Taupo in New Zealand, Bronson Rangi, their secret weapon, the Ratz had numerous problems to solve, not least themselves.

No less than six Ratz players were issued yellow cards by referee Greg Boyer with 10-minute suspensions. Worse, their indispensable goal-kicking fullback, Ricky Campbell, was red carded for striking.

It will be a nervous wait in the camp to establish the outcome of the disciplinary committee hearing, but It looks bleak.

The Bulls' coach, Peter White, a new man this year from the Central Coast, who arrived in Nabiac to find himself without eight front line players from the premiership team of the last two winters, considered his opponents' yellow cards and wondered why more red cards were not distributed.

Likewise, the Ratz' captain, Sam Hartnett, thought of his team's flaws and remarked:" We do things the hard way," and attributed lack of discipline to the club's failure to win a premiership since the formation of the Lower MNC in 2008. In the same period the Dolphins have won six titles.

The loss of Campbell for the grand final would be immense. Linking with the Ratz this year, he has been invaluable. A player of enormous experience, his goal-kicking and field generalship have been outstanding in the Kennnards Hire premiership.