ORANGE Waratahs’ hopes of securing a third-straight Western Premier League premiership came to a heartbreaking end after Bathurst ’75 secured a gripping 2-1 win in Tuesday night’s final at Waratah Sportsground.

The home side was desperately unlucky not to book a showdown with Westside in Saturday’s grand final after the crossbar denied cracking attempts from Craig Sugden and Adam Kelly in the second stanza of the match, which was rescheduled to Tuesday after torrential rain on Sunday rendered the Waratah Sporstground pitch virtually unplayable.

Kelly’s effort from close range came in the third minute of injury time and would have sent the game into extra-time – but poor defending from set plays ultimately cost Waratahs as Bathurst ’75 gained revenge on the club that has denied them on grand final day over the past two seasons.

Adam Collins’ bullet-like free kick from all of 40 metres out midway through the first half stunned the home side into action, Scott Brakenridge levelling proccedings six minutes before the break after heading home a Tim Davidson cross.

But in a free-flowing second 45 minutes, Waratahs were again left red-faced when ’75 midfielder Matt Baillie headed home the winner in the 77th minute after being left completely unmarked in the box from a corner.

Waratahs’ coach Allan Renike was devastated for his troops after watching his side bow out of the finals in straight sets following their penalty shoot-out loss to Westside in the grand final qualifier 11 days ago.

“It’s quite disappointing actually. I really feel for the players in the team,” he said.

“Both of their goals came from set plays, so that’s disappointing. It’s good in one respect that they didn’t score during the game itself. At least we can say that we can score (from open play). But that’s the way it goes – you’ve got to deal with all the facets of the game.

“Their first goal was a fantastic strike from Adam Collins but it was probably poor defence on our behalf I think.