RUGBY LEAGUE: A nail-biting finish was guaranteed in the fourth Kirstin Albeck Memorial Rugby 9s tournament when reigning premiers Mitchell and 2016 premiers Dalby went head to head in the grand final.

With less than five seconds remaining on the clock, Dalby was sitting confidently in front, the title all-but in their hands.

However, with a courageous leap of faith and swift footwork, Mitchell player Michael Purcell dived to the line on the buzzer, bringing the score to a draw.

The game moved into extra time, with two three-minute halves to determine the overall winner.

Dalby re-grouped in the short break and put forward a strong defence, with Mitchell trying its hardest to get across the line again.

In the dying seconds of the second extra time, Dalby crept over the line, securing the win 20-16.

"Every team competed really well and to be honest we didn't know what the competition would be like, but we had to use this as preparation for our season in the Toowoomba competition and I was very impressed,” Dalby coach Derek Brady said.

"I was hoping it wouldn't be as hard as it was and Mitchell certainly gave us a run for our money, as well as the Red Bulls side.”

Captain Steven Franciscus was also impressed with the team's performance.

"It was a long day but the boys did the job and we wanted to win but probably not the way we did,” he said.

"At the end of the day we rose to the occasion and it was a great cause to bring western Queensland together.”

Nine teams contested the event. Organiser Trent Knight said the 2019 comp was looking to be bigger and better, with the QRL expected to jump on board.