PREMIERS Eastwood eclipsed Southern Districts first grade rugby union team 42-41 with a field goal during injury time to win the round 10 Shute Shield match on Saturday at T.G Millner Field, Marsfield.
It was a 2014 grand final replay. Eastwood defeated the Rebels, 33-13, at Concord Oval, on August 16.
Southern Districts were behind 39-10 early in the second half but they fought back and hit the front with a little more than a minute to go as five-eighth Ben Volavola's penalty goal putting them ahead 41-39.
A 30-metre field goal from Eastwood's Jai Ayoub in injury time gave the defending premiers a thrilling 42-41 win.
In an extraordinary game with end-to-end play, loads of tries, attacking forays and thrilling attacking play, the home side squeaked home.
Volavola landed five goals and two penalty goals.
Rebels fullback Paul Asquith scored an 85-metre intercept try late in the game which brought the crowd to its feet.
Rebels coach Matthew Barr said there were only four players from the team that played in the 2014 decider.
Despite the narrow loss, the Rebels collected two points under the bonus points system and remain third on 32 points.
In round 11 Southern Districts tackle West Harbour on Saturday at 3pm at Forshaw Rugby Park.
