Expectations were high for the Kookaburras and they lived up to them, coming from behind to beat Southern Inland 20-15.

It was a gutsy performance, with the Kookaburras forced to play most of the second half of the final with only 14 players.

That was on top of the wet and muddy conditions, which were challenging enough.

The win pushes the Kookaburras up to the top tier for next year’s championships and was their second Shield success in six years.

They won the silverware in 2009 and, before that, went back to back in 2002 and 2003.

“They did really well,” Central North president Tony Byrnes said.

“All credit to them. They were committed and well-coached by Hunter (Harley) and Tom (Cullen).

“Now we’ve got two teams in the top tier, which will be something to look forward to next year.”

The Colts retained their spot in the top tier by rolling defending champions Central West 20-17 in their play-off game.

Byrnes said their effort shouldn’t go unrecognised.

Only a few weeks ago the worry was they weren’t going to get a side.

The Opens had some luck on their side, winning their semi-final against Far North Coast on a coin toss.

That was required after scores were locked nil-all at full-time.

The Kookaburras had a few chances to post points but that final touch just went awry in what was described as a quagmire.

Not that Harley could take them to task.

“The boys did everything we asked,” Harley said.

“They played exactly how we asked them to.

“In the wet it was just that last pass and we couldn’t quite get over the line.”

They had endeavours to play an attacking style but, whilst the conditions weren’t conducive to that, it was probably good, Harley said, in terms of their preparation, which was limited.

“We just had to play that old style,” he said.

Crash it up and rumble it through the forwards.

New England also triumphed on the weekend, with their Colts bringing home the NRMA Colts Shield.