St Pat’s became the first side into the 2008 decider courtesy of a succession of questionable decisions from the officials.

St Pat’s started solidly but the Dragon’s lock Matt Stott a clear way to set up centre Cody Cafe for the opening try, though Stott could not convert.

St Pats hit back soon enough with a good solo try with Trent Hemsworth’s converting.

Despite making several breaks in the ensuing 20 minutes Pat’s could not add to their lead, and the pendulum swung back into the Dragons favour.

Pivotal Steve Lane laid on a well-planned try for Stott with seven minutes to go before half time as the Dragons regained the lead.

In the final minute of the half found space and linked with Cameron Plummer to score a textbook four-pointer. The kick was converted and St Pats went into the break with some unexpected momentum.

Dragons Warick Colley spilt the second-half kick-off and gave St Pat’s an easy way to the try line moments later.

A penalty goal took the margin to 20-10, and Mudgee needed to score next - and hooker John Freebody thought he did when he dived over from dummy half only for it to be ruled a knock on.

Lane and Hemsworth then exchanged tries for their respective teams, and things were becoming desperate for Mudgee when Cafe pounced on a charge-down from a St Pat’s boot and raced 30 metres to score and get the Mudgee side within six.

With 40 seconds to go, evergreen centre William ‘Bubba’ Kennedy broke free down the left edge and turned the ball inside for winger Anthony Lang - who was held up in a desperate four-man tackle as Mudgee’s last salvo was deflected.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half - I thought there were a dozen terrible decisions in the game though. And they went both ways,” a clearly unhappy Peter Hickman said.