The Rams stormed out of the gates against a gallant Cootamundra in the 2016 decider at King George Oval, Hobby scoring all three of his tries in the opening half to help the hosts to a 26-7 lead at the break – Hobby scoring 21 of his side’s points.

Sam Nixon was the only try scorer for the Rams in the second period as the Tri-colours dominated possession.

But tellingly the only points the visitors could muster came in the 76^th minute, when Damian Smith – Cootamundra’s best player – scored out wide to make the final score 31-12.

Blayney’s euphoria was matched only by the sheer exhaustion in the Tri-colours’ camp, a club that’s dealt with the tragic death of clubman Dougal Hill in the lead-up to Saturday’s grand final.

In the winner’s circle again – it’s the first time Blayney has won back-to-back grand finals since 2007-08 - victorious coach Brock Syphers said after a 10-all draw in Cootamundra earlier in the year his side had something to prove against the Tri-colours

The Rams did that, emphatically.

“Big defensive effort. To go back-to-back is a pretty hard thing to do. I’ve got 25 blokes who make me look pretty good,” a beer-drenched Syphers said.

“We had something left to prove. We went over there and played pretty dismally, that 10-all draw was a bit of a blemish on our record, I suppose.

“They’re a hell of a side, though, they didn’t give up at all.”

Hobby scored tries in the third and eighth minutes to give the hosts the perfect start to their 2016 grand final bid, and at 14-0 it looked as though the Rams would romp home.

That wasn’t the case.

Lifting at key times, the Cootamundra boys scored next through skipper Alex Hardie – the big lock the beneficiary off a short-side dart from halfback Robert Scott.

Blayney fullback Josh Farr crossed next to make the score 19-7, before Hobby had his third of the afternoon, the burly pivot latching on to a late offload from inside centre Mick Nixon to dive over and score right on half-time.

After the break, possession favoured the visitors heavily, and the Tri-colours threw everything they had at the Rams’ defensive line in an effort to claw their way back into the game.

Smith was outstanding, big inside centre Willie Saena damaging – but the Rams were brilliant.

The final 31-12 scoreline a fitting finale to a dominant 2016 season for the Blayney club.

Man of the match, Hobby said his side’s blistering start was the key.

“We came out of the blocks firing, that set the platform,” Hobby said.

“I scored one (try) in last year’s win. It’s more of a case of right place right time, I didn’t do much, just caught the ball and dive over pretty much.

“That second half, they kept coming and coming and coming, and we just stood tall for one and other and defended pretty well.

“It’s a bit surreal really. It’s special, twice in a row.”

All class following his side’s emotional week, Cootamundra captain Hardie was immensely proud of his side’s effort in the face of tragedy.

“It was going to be very hard to back up from last week’s close (preliminary final) win (over Temora), a very emotional week last week and handling it then trying to train hard and focus on Blayney – it was mentally exhausting,” Hardie said.

“We turned up and gave it a crack, Blayney were just too good in the backs.”

BLAYNEY RAMS 31 (Cam Hobby 3, Josh Farr, Sam Nixon tries; Cam Hobby 3 conv) def COOTAMUNDRA 12 (Damian Smith, Alex Hardie tries; Damian Smith conv)