In a final, anything can happen – just look at Myrtleford’s reserve women.

The division two women shocked the competition by handing Albury Hotspurs their first loss in over two years in their grand final showdown at Lavington Sports Ground on Saturday.

Striking first and defending hard, Savoy held firm in their best performance of the year on the competition’s biggest stage, taking the cup 1-0.

The ‘Spurs were hot favourites heading into the match, but they couldn’t find a way through the sterling Savoy defence.

There were chances at both ends, but nothing eventuated until the eve of half-time, when Maddie Sandow got on the end of a stunning cross from Lily Notarianni on the wing, knocking it into the back of the net to the roar of the crowd.

The aim for the second half was simple – defend, defend, and defend.

Despite throwing everything at Savoy, Hotspurs couldn’t find the equaliser, and when the final whistle blew, it was all over.

Co-coach Tom Scott said he was still struggling to take it all in.

“It’s pretty amazing, I can’t really put it into words yet, it’s all pretty surreal,” he said.

“It definitely wasn’t something we didn’t think was possible, we had an intention to play a certain way.

“The ball from Lily on the cross, it’s something we’ve practiced at training – Will [co-coach Will Robinson-Dunn] and I were so confident it was going to happen, but the feeling of watching the ball go into the back of the net, there’s nothing that could beat it.

“We knew they were going to press really hard – in the semi-final, they had scored four goals in 10 minutes, so we knew it wasn’t out of their range to still do something like that.

“We just kept reinforcing the idea that as long as we can maintain the pressure, they’ve got to score two goals to win.

“Hearing that final whistle, it was probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt in my life.”

The cup win marks the first division one or two women’s trophy the club has ever claimed, a testament to the hard work which has gone on for years.

“Last year our reserve women finished ninth, but then to finish second and play in a grand final, we would’ve been pretty content if that’s all the story was,” Scott said.

“To get it done was amazing, we want to build on this now and keep going.

“Next year we’ll try and go again, and look at further developing our female side of the club.

“I think this win will make Myrtleford stand out as being a club that women should look to go to.”