The Phantoms secured a 22-20 win over Hay to take the second grade premier division honours. 

Coach Matt Allen couldn’t have been more impressed with his side on the day. 

“It was a very close game, a very hard game,” he said. 

“They (Hay) got two very quick tries and at half-time the score was 10-5 their way.”

Allen said the Cutters put immense pressure on the try line.

“Hay got penalties, but chose to go for the try rather than attempt the kicks,” he said.

However, the points accumulated by the Cutters didn’t matter much once the Phantoms struck back at the eleventh hour.  

The game ended in a dramatic fashion, a win by a mere two points gained with less than five minutes on the clock. 

“Our defence was unarguably resolute,” Allen said. 

Allen named forwards Damien Johnston and Wilson Feagai as stars of the match.

“Those boys turned the game for us,” Allen said. 

Allen said back Dennis Feagai also provided outstanding defence Allen, while full back Aaron Leeson-Woolley won man of the match. 

The team was ecstatic to take out the premiership, according to Allen. 

“It has been a long time for the Phantoms to get a premiership,” he said. 

“The ladies have been strong, but for the guys it’s been a long time for a win.” 

Allen said his team knew they had to be resolute in defence in order to win the premiership. 

“We spoke about mental fortitude and discipline,” he said.

“It was also important to keep a relaxed frame of mind no matter where we were in the game. 

“The boys knew they’d done the work and they believed in each other.” 

Allen was also pleased to see the strong support from Phantoms supports at Conolly Park on the day. He described the atmosphere as electric when the final siren was blown and Leeton had taken out the premiership.