The Barbarians aren't a chance at making the New England Rugby Union finals but they proved they won't be going down without a fight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Baa Baas took on reigning premiers and competition leaders Robb College at Alcatraz on Saturday and snared a 32-31 win.
Coach Greg Wynn said the "no pressure" situation of knowing their finals fate worked in their favour.
"A few things went our way in terms of bounces of the ball and that sort of stuff, it feels like in the season we have had they usually don't go our way," he said.
"There was no pressure on us even though we couldn't have made the finals, it was more about the guys enjoying themselves and playing a style of footy that they like playing.
"Only a bit of pride to play for and save a bit of face, that was probably what motivated them."
While he was rapt with his team's efforts, particularly in the opening-half, Wynn was quick to compliment the students.
"Robb were probably a little bit off their best in the first-half and they turned that around in the second-half and showed why they are where they are on the table," he said.
"We were lucky to get a few points in the first-half and pick up a couple of tries to counter their tries in the second-half."
Close finishes was the theme for the round 13 fixtures with three points separating St Albert's College and Armidale Blues at Bellevue Oval.
The students got the job done 24-21 and co-coach Scott Waterson said it was a matter of sticking to their structures.
"It sounds like a cliché but we went into the match with a game plan and our guys were good enough to implement it," he said.
"We had identified some threats we wanted to nullify, and the way we wanted to play. It was pleasing to see that strategy followed and the result that came with it."
Waterson lauded the side's defence, in particular number eight Lachlan Holz and the centre pairing of Joe Vary and Tom Condon.
"In tight, we were cohesive and were able to ask some questions of the opposition, with Keagan Size coming away with two well-earned tries," he said.