The Bombala Blue Heelers reserve grade and High Heelers sides have come agonisingly close to premiership titles, falling just short in two tense and enthralling grand finals.

The High Heelers lost a tight encounter 8-6 to Bega before reserve grade took their premiership decider into golden point, only for Merimbula-Pambula to produce a try to claim the Group 16 title 16-12.

A large Bombala crowd headed to the Pambula Sporting Complex for grand final day. The High Heelers were looking to defend their 2024 premiership and claim their fifth in 11 years, and reserves their second premiership in four years.

In 2022, Bombala’s league-tag and reserve grade sides also reached the grand finals, both coming away winners.

2025 was a different story, despite two valiant performances.

The High Heelers and Bega grand final encounter was of the highest quality. Both sides tagged brilliantly, stopping many attacking raids. While a low-scoring affair, the match was enthralling through its 50 minutes.

Bega kicked a penalty goal in the first half and then crossed for the first try of the decider early in the second. A tense final six minutes was setup when Bombala scored its lone try through Sam Stewart to reduce the margin to 8-6.

Despite pressing hard, the winner didn’t come.

High Heelers coach, Paul Perkins, praised his side on a fine season, which saw another minor premiership added to the trophy cabinet.

“While the side is disappointed to lose, we have had a great season,” Perkins said.

“They should be proud of their efforts. The match was a high-quality encounter, one of the best I’ve seen in Group 16 league-tag.”

In the reserve grade clash, the Blue Heelers have come agonisingly close to winning the Group 16 reserve grade premiership, falling short in a golden point thriller, 16-12.

The Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs broke the deadlock three minutes into golden point when a loose Bombala pass was picked up by the Bulldogs winger who raced 20 metres to score the premiership winning try. Bombala players and fans appealed for a knock-on but the try was awarded.

Bombala’s dream finals run saw the side win through to the grand final from fifth spot, knocking-off the Cooma Stallions, Eden Tigers and Bega Roosters.