Wilson has coached most of the boys since under-10s and said after the game that it’s been a three-year wait to see his side win over the Raiders.

“We shared the premiership with Souths in the under-10s then they beat us in the under-11s, and while we’ve been competitive this year, today is the first time we’ve beaten them,”he said.

“I’m really proud of them all. They were patient there today, especially in the first half and I thought holding them to 6-all when they had most of the ball was really good. They were tough.

“I said to them at half-time that we’d only had 30 per cent of the ball but we’re still in the game.

“They really dug in and then for the winning try to come late in the game was just reward for them.”

Grand final man of the match Jack Quinn was superb all over while Jack Davis and fullback Hayden Garling were strong. But overall it was a great team effort.

In the first half Souths seemed to be more organised with the ball, but to even the equation the defence from Saints was extraordinary.

Saints were first to score in the fifth minute when Joden Wilson scored for Jack Quinn to convert.

But seven minutes later it was 6-all after Souths pushed the ball forward and it seemed possible the equaliser would come before half-time.

They had three-consecutive sets to try their luck - firstly Clayton Couley had a try disallowed then soon after Logan Merritt was over under the posts. Jai Merrit converted for 6-all.

The desperate football from both sides continued after the break in a bid to break the deadlock.

With 10 minutes remaining Souths had again dominated the ball and pushing the go-forward button, but again the Saints weren’t going to budge.

When the break did come it was through the Saints. Jack Davis made one of his big busts deep into the Souths’ territory and then next tackle Bayden Searle was over under the posts for 12-6.

Try as they might Souths tried until the end but it was a grand day for the Saints. Two successive head-high tackles from Jai Merritt saw him finish the game in the sin bin.

Both sides tried until the end but it was the Saints who finished the stronger and the final siren sounded with them just metres from the try line.

While South Dubbo coach Adam McDermott was out of town, Hale Gordon looked after the side and said at the presentations that he was pleasantly surprised as to the improved play from St John’s.

“Congratulations to St John’s you were the better team today,” Gordon said. “Also best wishes to South Dubbo. It’s a team with lots of talent and we look forward to seeing you play again next year.”

St John’s Gold 12 (Joden Wilson, Bayden Searle tries; Matt Burton, Jack Quinn goals) def South Dubbo Raiders 6 (Logan Merritt try; Jai Merrit goal).