THEY may not have won the game, but the Cabramatta Two Blues won many admirers in their heartbreaking 24-20 loss to minor premiers Wentworthville in the grand final of the Bundaberg Red Cup final at the weekend.

In what many experts described as the ``game of the season'' the Two Blues scored three tries in a six-minute, second-half blitz to level the scores with only 20 minutes to go.

However, a try nine minutes from time was enough to secure the Magpies their first victory in the competition and shatter the dreams of a famous Two Blues triumph.

Cabramatta coach Len Stacker praised his team's commitment and ``never say die'' attitude, in particular the ever-reliable Jamie Small, Ben Ellis and Andrew Dallalana.

``It was very disappointing result,'' Stacker said.

``Every time you play in a grand final you want to win it, but I couldn't find fault in any of our players, we just ran into a very good team.

``It was a high-calibre game of footy and one we were right in.

``I just kept telling the guys to keep believing in themselves and it showed on the field.''

The Magpies scored tries either side of half-time to establish a 20-4 lead. But the Two Blues fought valiantly to the end.