The hosts, the Rams opened the season and the day with a good win over Ashford, before West Lions beat Guyra.

The third game saw two visiting sides clash as the Redfern All Blacks had the crowd on their feet, defeating Cobar 24-10, followed by the Boomerangs’ first of two wins over Port City. 

Led by former NRL star Dean Widders, the All Blacks couldn’t quite overcome the hosts later in the day, allowing Armidale to finish at the top of pool A.

Wests Lions might feel a bit hard done by after losing out on a finals spot after three out of the four sides in Pool B finished on two wins.

The Lions would turn out to be the only side to beat the Boomerangs, although a 22-12 loss to Port would come back to bite them, the Group 3 side eventually finishing two points ahead on for and against, with the Rangs taking the first spot.

The Rams drew Port in the first final, while the second semi was what many thought would be the final, as the Boomerangs lined up against their metro counterparts the All Blacks.

Rams president Terry Carson said the side kept their worst for last as they just went down to Port 12-10.

“We just dropped a lot of ball and made simple mistakes,” Carson said.

The hosts were down 12-nil, but did stage a light fightback that saw captain-coach Clarrie Moran have the opportunity to even the game up with a kick five metres to the side of the posts.

The conversion sailed wide to sum up the game for Armidale and finish their day.

The second semi-final was a Boomerangs clinic but a very entertaining one at that.

The current Group 19 premiers got  a good lead early and then stuck to their defence to book a spot in the final with a 24-12 victory.

The Rangs’ fitness came to the fore in the final.

Port came out of the blocks well but never got the upper hand, going down 18-10.

“Yeah, the Rangs did it again,” Carson said.

“They gave them a bit of a touch-up.

“This style of game suits them as well.”

Carson said the day went off even better than expected and is hopeful it can grow into something bigger and better each year.

Feedback from all clubs involved was positive, with most stating they will return for another shot at it next year.

“It is something a bit different, the nines style,” Carson said.

“I think it will become fairly popular.

“The quality of football is a lot better than with sevens.”