However, the Pirates changed the script for the grand final when they blew Macleay Mustangs off the park with a commanding 26-10 win.

Led by props Kane Evans and Sam Wilkes and second rower Zac Power the Pirates dominated the ruck from the kick off. This afforded their backline some space and with five-eighth Drey Mercy in sparking form, the Pirates ran roughshod over the Mustangs. By halftime they enjoyed at 16-0 lead.

Macleay went into the encounter with just two games in five weeks and on a hot day, their lack of football showed. Only rarely did the Mustangs produce the scintillating brand of football they are capable.

"We had match fitness from playing four successive games leading into today,'' Old Bar co-coach Andrew Wilkes said after the match.

"We made a really positive start and the boys continued the whole way through today,

"There were a couple of low periods where Macleay came back and scored a couple of good tries, but it was nice to get out to that strong lead and hold on.

"Starting strongly has been the exception rather than the rule unfortunately, but we started well today.''

Evans opened the scoring when he crashed onto a ball from a set play close to the line for fullback Blake Elford to convert. The Pirates maintained the pressure and winger Jake Saunders turned this into points with Old Bar's second try. Mercy continued Old Bar's domination with a further try and the Pirates went to the sheds leading 16-0.

Power, who was named player of the match in a close decision from Mercy, finished off a great movement to crash over and increase Old Bar's lead to 20-0 soon after the resumption.

The Mustangs did rally and scored through Miles Montga, but Mercy's second try again put the Pirates in safe territory at 26-6.

A melee involving players from both sides marred the closing minutes of the game. This resulted in the Mustangs lock Harold Thompson, who had been their best player, being sent off while another was sin binned. Old Bar's Wilkes was also sent to the sin bin. The last couple of minutes played out without further incident.

"We were lucky today - everyone was pretty much on-song and we got really good support from the blokes off the bench as well,'' Andrew Wilkes continued

Wilkes and co-coach Darrin Dark were in charge last season when the Pirates lost the grand final to Port Macquarie.

"So we've reversed it this season - it's a great feeling,'' he said.

"There's a good bunch of kids here and it would be good to stay involved. Hopefully we'll be able to keep the group together.''