The New England weather threw up its challenges but it was the coastal teams which took out the top honours at the 16th TAS Rugby Carnival held on April 17 and 18.
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In Sunday's final between the top teams of the two pools, Lennox Head Trojans held out Wollongbar 29-5, while in the number two final, Coffs Crusaders defeated Mid North Coast 41-0.
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But while Mid North Coast left the field without any points, they left the carnival with the most prestigious trophy, the Canterbury Team of the Carnival for the team that were voted by others as best displaying the values of sportsmanship on and off the field.
The Spirit of Rugby relay, involving four players from each team, was won by Avoca Beach Rugby Union Club.
After the cancellation of last year's event and due to pandemic considerations, this year's carnival comprised only non-metropolitan teams, from Moree south-east to the Central Coast.
And despite the wettest day in the carnival's history, it didn't dampen the spirits of players, their supporters and organisers.
At the presentation ceremony on Sunday special guest Dr Rachel Horton, the incoming Head of TAS and an international rugby referee who had spent the weekend on the sidelines as a referee coach, reflected on her own very first carnival.
"In my very first tournament our team lost every game, but what I remember most was how much fun I had with my teammates and loved rugby from the moments I started playing," she said.
"So a huge congratulations to everyone who played in this carnival regardless of winning and losing.
"What I saw out there was skill, passion, courage and teamwork - and that says so much about the spirit of rugby."
Carnival convenor Mr Huon Barrett said even though the carnival had considerably fewer teams due to COVID-19 restrictions there was just as much preparation that went into it, as usual.
"The carnival is a great reflection of not just the spirit of rugby but the strong sense of community and the success of the carnival is a wonderful tribute to that," he said.
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