Warialda Public School has made history by becoming only the third team outside of Sydney to win the NSW PSSA State Rugby Union Championship in the last 70 years.
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The under-13 side made a stellar 14-0 come-from-behind over Valentine Public in the semi-final after being down in the first half of the game and then edged Organe Public School 28-26 in the final.
Described as a nerve-racking game, not only for the Warialda students but also principal and coach Dan van Velthuizen, the local side won 17-7 to claim the Bryan Palmer Shield.
Lachlan Hawkins, Tom Bell and Os van Velthuizen crossed the line for Warialda, with van Velthuizen converting one from three successfully.
The huge feat was picked up my metropolitan media outlets and became the talk of the town - not just in Warialda but also Inverell.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall made a special visit to the school after their triumphant return from Sydney.
"Against the backdrop of an enormous journey to Sydney, extreme drought and the fact that many of the boys only played their first game of rugby this year, their achievement is inspiring," he said.
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"They've done themselves and Warialda incredibly proud. I was thrilled to congratulate the boys personally, as well as principal Dan, who has done such a great job coaching these lads to statewide success," he said.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, a former Warialda Public School student, said the win was inspired by 10-year-old teammate Darcy Mitchell, who was recently injured in a farm accident.
"I'm proud of this huge effort, and how special it would have been for Darcy to witness, and so too is the entire town," he said.
