The Scorpions went into the decider having not lost a game since May, but their lack of big game experience was evident against an Oxley Vale Attunga side contesting their sixth consecutive grand final.

“Nerves got the better of us,” South coach Ruwan Cooper said.

“But they were the better side on the day and they deserved to win.”

Cooper said the coaching staff told the players to hold their heads high after the shattering grand final loss.

“It was obviously disappointing,” he said.

“But we just told them to look back on what we have achieved this year.

“It was a pretty successful season.

“There were 12 or 13 other teams who didn’t make it as far as us.

“And that was even after we were written off at the halfway point of the year.”

South faced a 2-nil deficit after only 15 minutes on Saturday, but were able to hold off the charging Oxley Vale Attunga attack from that point until half time.

“We were under the pump most of the first half,” Cooper said.

“But we came out really well after half time.

“We were right on top.”

South used the momentum to halve the deficit through a Jamie Wright goal, but the Tamworth side scored against the run of play to jump back out to a two goal lead.

“We leaked a really soft goal that got them to 3-1,” he said.

Sterling Wylie then netted the second South goal to reduce the score line to 3-2.

The Scorpions leaked another soft goal, which was the nail in the coffin with Oxley Vale securing a 4-2 lead.

“We had to push everyone forward after that,” Cooper said.

“We left only two defenders at the back and they scored their last two from counter attacks.”

The final score-line may reflect a belting, but Cooper insists it was anything but.

“It wasn’t a 6-2 game,” he said.

“It wasn’t that much of a flogging.”

PJ Wright and goal keeper Richard Morris were the two best Scorpions on ground according to Cooper.

“I know we conceded six goals, but none of those were really his (Morris’) fault,” he said.

“He had a great game.”