By MARK CASHMAN

A try with 15 seconds left on the clock to a rampaging Will Latu saw Southern Districts snatch an unlikely 39-38 win over Warringah on Saturday.

On an afternoon that saw 12 tries scored, Souths dragged themselves back into the contest, and ahead, a number of times.

The first was after the first 25 minutes where Warringah had started absolutely on fire and the home side jumped to a 19-3 lead thanks to two tries to fullback Ben Marr and another to centre Tyson Davis.

But bubbling away in the background was the Rebels scrum that started to make its way into the game and have some telling effects later in the contest.

Once the game settled into its rhythm after half an hour or so the two two teams score for score, but the Rats got a telling break on the scoreline with about 10 minutes left on the clock and when skipper Sam Ward scored a win looked secure.

But that wasn’t what the gods had planned and Souths kicked deep to make the home side play out of their own territory.

It had the right effect and a turnover from of all people Ward saw the final act in this drama-filled afternoon play out.

Souths coach Todd Louden said that was a win that his side “had no right to win”.

“With the amount of injuries that we have had, that was a victory that we had no right to,” Louden said.

“The win was a compliment to the quality of the young guys that this club has coming through the ranks at the moment.

“They showed a lot of character. It was a win that was far from perfect and in some ways showed what an exciting competition that the Shute Shield is developing into.

“We got lucky that’s for sure but we had a hand in creating that luck. The fact that we blew a 10-point lead at one stage in that second half is a credit to the quality of their side.”

Chris Kagiassis ended up scoring three tries as well as kicking three conversions and a penalty goal in what was good day out for the under rated wing and centre.

He had a telling effect on the game with Louden moving him into the centres in the second half so he could get his hands on the ball more often.

Warringah coach Mike Ruthven said a lack of consistency from his side had cruelled their afternoon.

“That was a really disappointing result for the group. Full credit to souths who were good enough to ice their opportunities, especially with 90 seconds to go with the game on the line,” Ruthven said.

“That said, I really felt we beat ourselves on Saturday. We set the tone early with a great defensive set to start the game.

“We scored some great tries off well-constructed footy and really had a strong hold on the game heading into the second half.

“But poor discipline in the second half kept inviting Souths back into the game and we weren’t able to apply the same pressure we did in the first half.”

Ruthven, despite the tough loss, sung the praises of his fullback Ben Marr.

“We again showed when we get it right we are a very dangerous footy side but consistency is our issue,” he said.

“I thought our forwards provided a strong platform for us and Ben Marr again proved he is one of the best talents getting around at the moment.”

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 39 (Liam Moseley, Christian Kagiassis 3, Will Latu, Nathan Lawson tries; Kagiassis 3 conversions, pen goal) d WARRINGAH 38 (Mungo Mason, Sam Ward, Tyson Davis, Ben Marr 3 tries; Tom Halse 4 conversions)

IMAGE: RISING SUN PHOTOGRAPHY