Saturday's Soldier On Day was held in memory of former Blues player Michael Fussell, and delivered a see-sawing first grade game between the Blues and Robb to a good crowd at Moran Oval.
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It was a hard fought match right up to the end, but it was Robb that took home this year's silverware 29-26 on the day.
Robb co-coach Sam Ditchfield said it was a tough encounter that Robb managed to get away with on the bell.
"It was good to get a win. It was a very physical game and could have gone either way to be honest," he said.
"We were behind and we scored with a couple of minutes left on the clock.
"By the time we had taken the shot at goal there was only 20 or 30 seconds left."
Each of these games has been decided by less than seven points ...
- Luke Stephen
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Ditchfield said the restart of play brought a surprise with it.
"They kicked off and from the kick-off they actually got a penalty," he said.
"After the bell they had a shot at goal which luckily for us they missed, otherwise it would have been 29 all.
"It was a pretty tight game. But I wasn't surprised with the closeness of the game. From the first time we played them they were pretty good and they had a few payers back for them this game."
Ditchfield said he had players coming back to Armidale from as far away as Cowra to play on the day.
"We had guys drive from Sydney, Dubbo, Orange, down the Central West. Our guys have got a fair spread on," he said.
"I don't know whether he's been home, but we've got one guy who's from out at Tilpa, or somewhere.
"Maybe a draw would have been a fairer result, the way the game was played. It's more about the day, two clubs coming together and supporting the cause, rather than the rivalry between the two clubs."
Blues co-coach Luke Stephen said this year's event had raised considerably more than last year's event, and while an official tally was not yet available, the club thought it could be about $6000.
"I wouldn't say it was as much [a lack] of fitness, as much as the physicality of the game. Both teams went after each other, and I think there would be a lot of sore bodies on both sides of the ball," he said.
"We were happy with the effort and the application shown by the guys and we hope we can continue that prom for the rest of the season.
"Each of these games has been decided by less than seven points, so it just goes to show how even the competition is and the quality of both clubs."
But he said competition was a secondary concern.
"It's just a great day for community and for rugby."