By John Fitzgerald

The two historically highest-credentialled Midwest clubs and the best performed in this year’s Community Cup went head to head in the 2024 grand final, with the Blackcats taking the title for a 12th time.

Last year’s premiers Blackheath won back-to-back titles with their 20-0 shutout of Carcoar Crows at Blackheath’s Don Bradman Oval, the showpiece game of a gala day of six games.

Carcoar Crows, despite not having a team in the Midwest regular season for 30 years, are distinguished by winning the most number of titles, but Blackheath are closing in with this year’s win, the two clubs having won 30 premierships between them.

The Crows’ last grand final was in 1994, ironically with a win over Blackheath.

The Blackcats have been the dominant side over this this year’s short season, showing their intent in the first round of competition with a 52-6 win over Wallerawang but Carcoar, also undefeated with a bye in round three, were worthy grand final opponents.

The forwards engaged in heavy contact as the teams sorted themselves out in the early minutes, and it was no surprise flare ups occurred in the first couple of tackles as the sides fought for supremacy.

The ferocious start indicated both clubs were going to take the game with all the seriousness of a premiership-deciding game, with neither team harbouring thoughts of defeat.

After the game became more settled Blackheath’s Elias Dukes scored early, with a conversion by skipper Greg Alderson for a 6-0 lead.

The Crows competed strongly and took their attacking game to the Cats but Blackheath held early possession for longer periods which constantly stretched the Carcoar defence.

Blackheath attacked close to the line on both sides of the field, coming up with no extra score before the Crows moved the ball to the other end of the ground, but with a strong movement of the ball to the left corner the ball was lost in a tackle over the line.

A lengthy period where the sides battled for control saw Blackheath, with greater possession, frustrate the Crows’ attack, forcing them into errors.

The ability to hold the ball for full sets gave the Cats an advantage and it was a matter of time before they were across the line again, Tim Van Horen the tryscorer, the conversion unsuccessful, for a 14-0 lead late into the game.

Man of the match Greg Alderson went over for a late try, self converted, to give his side the 2024 title and move Blackheath Blackcats a little closer to Carcoar’s record of 18 premierships.

Rockley led hosts Blackheath for most of their match in the leaguetag grand final but the Cats evened up with a late try and, with the score locked at 10-all at fulltime and neither team able to score in an extended golden point playoff, a decision was made to co-award the 2024 premiership trophy to both clubs.

Other leaguetag results in the full day of events: Kandos Tiaratahs came from two points behind in the first half to defeat Wallerawang 20-12, and Portland Fillies won a closely-fought contest 18-16 over Carcoar.

The other first grade games resulted in a 42-16 win by Woodstock over Kandos, and a 16-12 win to Rockley in their match against Portland despite a late comeback by the Colts.