Group 19’s under 23 rugby league side wrote their name in the history books as the first team to claim the Greater Northern Championships trophy.
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The team started their campaign with a convincing 34-12 victory over Group 4 in the day’s matches at Armidale Rugby League Park.
After a slow start in their match against Group 21, the host team came home strong late in the match to take the win.
Moree Boomerang’s Kyle Saunders captained the team and said it was a great pathway for some of the younger players to compete at a representative level.
“It was a good experience,” he said.
“First time captain so getting a taste of it is really good.
“Gives us country boys a go, with young fellas coming through and gaining experience.”
Of the last match, Saunders said it was up to the players to stick to what they knew.
“It was staying in the grind, running it out, sticking to our game plans and having trust in each other and it payed off,” he said.
While the local Group claimed the men’s shield, Group 4 ladies league tag made it three in a row for the Jane Walmsley shield after two massive wins.
The girls began the day without allowing the home side to score a try and ran out winners 30-nil.
Their second win was even bigger with a 48-4 drubbing of Group 21.
Abby Schmiedel was one of nine Collegian Warriors selected for Group 4 and was also picked in the Greater Northern side to play in the Country Championships.
She said every year the competition keeps improving and taking out three consecutive shields was incredible.
“It is a pretty special effort,” she said.
“I think we have improved every year but this year we combined pretty well.
“We have nine from the Collegian Warriors altogether so that is good for us so to play together at this kind of level is pretty special as well.”
At the conclusion of the day’s matches both divisions announced teams to compete in the Country Championships.
The first match for the region’s sides will be against the Central Coast.