Kiama went “one more step" higher than last year with a thrilling 37-36 victory over Shoalhaven on Saturday afternoon in the Illawarra rugby grand final at Collegians Sports Stadium.

Kiama began emphatically to claim a 22-point lead but that was cut to 12 points by half-time with the second half turning into a real nail-biter.

It came down to a Joseph Cowley try, and the precision of a Tom Baker conversion for Kiama to claim their first premiership since 2002.  

Shoalhaven’s Luke Marnane scored a try in the final minute which could have stolen the trophy from Kiama but Mark Brandon’s conversion was off target.

Former St George Illawarra Dragons star Junior Amone was awarded the Geoff Shaw medal for player of the grand final after scoring in the first half and being a key playmaker throughout the game.

The "one more step" mantra was instilled in the players at the beginning of the season by coach James Patrick after missing out on the premiership last year.

“That slogan was all about heart – understanding where we were and getting through” Patrick said.

“I’m proud of our boys and proud of the club. 

“From where they’ve come, to now – there has been a big hiatus for Kiama rugby.”

Kiama's win signalled the end of an era for Patrick, with this season being his last at the club.

“There’s got to be a change of the guard where somebody else has got their stamp on it,” he said.

Outgoing Kiama Rugby coach James Patrick at training. Photo: Supplied

“We’ve sort of built their culture.

“Whoever it may be, we’re there to help in some capacity.”

Patrick is mindful that Australian rugby has been around for over a hundred years and the Illawarra competition might not mean much to others, but for Kiama Rugby this was different.

“We’re very dominated by league, but for a small town to be able to bring back a premiership, it’s a huge thing.”

When Patrick rejoined the club in 2019, Kiama Rugby was at the bottom of the ladder and paid tribute to his wife for her support and understanding during the season.

“I refuse to go away during rugby season because I’ve committed to the cause,” Patrick said.

“Everybody says it’s [coaching] a volunteer’s job, and it is, but it is a little more than that as you need to make yourself available.

“It’s a big job.”

It was a bittersweet afternoon for Patrick with Kiama’s reserve-grade team, which he also coaches, going down to Woonona Shamrocks 13-7.

He was not happy with the lopsided penalty count of 32-6 against his side.

“I thought we were a little bit hard done by,” Patrick said.

“Our discipline was good, but 50-50 calls just weren’t going our way. I thought our boys were a lot better than what the scoreboard was.”