The young rugby league stars topped their pool after wins over St Joseph’s Nyngan, St Matthew’s Mudgee and Bathurst Public School before scoring an incredible, extra-time win over Catherine McAuley Primary School from Orange.

For the eventual victors, St Mary’s Primary School in Dubbo, the win over their Forbes opposition marked a hugely successful day at the Peachey-Richardson finals.

St Mary’s two rugby league teams chalked up memorable wins in both the Richardson Cup and Peachey Shield, which is for students in years 5 and 6, at Apex Oval last Wednesday.

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Victorious St Mary’s Richardson Cup coach Shawn Townsend said the school was enjoying a rich period in terms of its rugby league, with a lot of the students wrapped up in the sport.

“We’re lucky … we’ve got a school that loves their footy. We’re going alright at it at the moment, too,” Townsend beamed.

St Mary’s comfortably accounted for St Laurence’s in the decider, running out to an early lead before the visiting Forbes boys hit back somewhat.

But for Townsend, the result was secondary to the experience.

“They were good, it that doesn’t matter for us, we’re just here to have a bit of fun ... but they’re competitive kids,” he laughed.

“They play together every weekend and they’ve been together for a while … I can’t take much credit because the coaches that have them on the weekend for the two age groups do a great job.”

St Mary’s topped its pool after wins against St Mary’s Orange, St Joseph’s Oberon and Lightning Ridge Central School before knocking off St Joseph’s Gilgandra in the semi-final to book a place in the decider.

St Laurence’s had a second team in the Richardson Shield, with their games against Mulyan Public School, St Phills, Bathurst, and St Joseph’s Gilgandra.

Forbes Public School made it through to the Peachey Shield finals, with games against Mulyan, Bletchington and St Mary’s Dubbo.