Just a single point separated the two teams in this year’s Group 20 rugby league reserve grade grand final, but unfortunately, it was not in the Narrandera Lizards’ favour.

The Yenda Blueheelers were crowned premiers following a 14-13 victory in last Sunday’s thrilling premiership decider at the EW Moore Oval (Solar Mad Stadium), Griffith.

The Blueheelers turned the tables on the Lizards from their 32-16 loss in the major semi-final a few weeks ago.

The game featured both teams scoring two tries each, but a successful conversion attempt from the Blueheelers made the difference, denying the Lizards a glorious ending to their season.

Centre Deakin Bright and prop Bodean Tereva ran in the Lizards’ tries, while lock Gary Ingram successfully kicked one conversion attempt, a penalty goal and a one-point field goal.

Lock Bodhy Martyn and halfback Salesi Fatafehi ran in the Blueheelers’ four-pointers, while Noah Forbutt successfully kicked two conversion attempts and one penalty goal.

The Lizards will be hurting from the loss, but hope to come back bigger, stronger and hungrier for the 2027 season.

The club said: “This isn’t the end - it’s the beginning of the comeback”.

Meanwhile, the same margin in the first grade grand final resulted in the Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo United Sharks ending a 10-year premiership drought.

The Sharks defeated the Griffith Waratah Tigers 17-16 to claim the premiership.

Both teams ran in three tries apiece, but it was the boot of Jaden Kelly, not for the first time this season, that played a key role in the Sharks’ grand final win.

Tristin Johnson, Brodie Morris and Cody Collins scored the Sharks’ tries, while Jaden Kelly successfully kicked two conversion attempts and a one-point field goal to seal the victory.

Sinamaki Tatofi scored two tries and Moses Lolohea ran in a four-pointer for the Tigers, while James Girdler successfully kicked two conversion attempts.

The game was marred in the final 10 minutes with the Sharks’ Warren Lloyd and the Tigers’ John Lolohea and Felise Tau all being sin-binned.

In the League Tag grand final, the Griffith Black and Whites defeated the Leeton Galloping Greens 24-16.

The Black and Whites try scorers include a double from Tahlia Holborow and one each for Ashleigh Penrith and Kaya Favero.

Shailyn Williams successfully kicked two conversions and a penalty goal and Hollie Penrith also successfully kicked one conversion attempt for the Black and Whites.

Jessica Curran, Zarly Pike and Anna McClure scored Leeton’s tries, while McClure also successfully kicked two conversion attempts.

The Under 18 grand final was also a close encounter, with the West Wyalong Mallee Men defeating the Yanco Wamoon Hawks 10-8.

Dustin Bryant and Nate Pursehouse scored West Wyalong’s tries and Nicholas Cooper successfully kicked a conversion attempt.

Luke Anderson and Hao Liu Mealing scored the Hawks’ four-pointers.