In a "massive" day for both the sport and the club, the Armidale Blues toppled a gallant Robb College in their round six match up.
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Saturday's fixtures marked the annual Soldier On fundraiser for the club, who hold it against Robb every year, and the crowd were kept entertained by the on-the-field clashes.
Seven Blues' tries to Robb's four saw the hosts score a 44-26 triumph.
"I think it was a game where we were able to get off to a good start and Robb, to their credit really stuck in the fight with two tries before halftime for a 19-12 score," Blues' co-coach Luke Stephen said.
"Fortunately after the break we were able to kick on and get it.
"We conceded a late try but we are obviously happy in what was a big day for the club.
"It was a really tough, hard, fair game."
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The Soldier On fundraiser, which saw special edition jerseys auctioned post-match, raised thousands of dollars for the charity who supports returned veterans.
"To be able to have such a big day, raise well over $15, 000, potentially as high as $20,000 still to be confirmed, it was just a great day for the rugby community in general," Stephen said.
"We couldn't do without the support of not only our supporters but in particular Robb College."
In another special moment for the club, long-term player John Roberts went past 800 points for the club with a second-half try.
"Considering he started in 2004, it is a phenomenal achievement for him and we are really happy for him," Stephen said.
"He has been a big part of our club and we are very happy that he was able to bring that up, particularly at home in front of our home crowd."
The Blues now turn their attention to their round seven fixture against Tamworth who are coming off a loss to ladder leaders St Albert's College.
Next Saturday's games will be the last before a two week break to cater for the NSW Rugby Union Country Championships and the following week's university holidays.
Stephen said his club are determined to head into the break on a high.
"Tamworth and Armidale, we have always had big games against them and we are very much focusing on our trip down the hill this week leading into the break," he said.
"Obviously in any game there's things you want to improve on but that it is for us to re-focus on what we need to do to defeat a dangerous Tamworth side in Tamworth."
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