For the first time ever in the high school events, each age group was named after a Knights legend.
In the Under 14 Boys Danny Buderus Premiership, the San Clemente High School, Mayfield rugby league team were victorious in their grand final against Singleton High School, winning 34 – 4 after scoring eight tries to one.
From the start, San Clemente set the tone of the game with all players ripping in and giving it their all. Throughout the game, the boys were tenacious in their determination and showed great skill with several powerful attacking runs and dominating defence from all players.
The team were spurred on by their school’s supporter group with the other members of the school’s rugby league program travelling to the venue to cheer on the team.
Prior to the grand final, the team were also treated to a visit from Newcastle Knights Captain, Mitchell Pearce who spoke with the team about preparation and provided insight into being a professional athlete.
Earlier in the year, the team were runners up in the NSW CCC Cochrane Cup - Newcastle/Hunter Valley Tournament, narrowly losing to St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen. This result secured them a spot in the quarter finals of the Hunter Premiership where they were successful against Callaghan College Wallsend before defeating St Joseph’s Aberdeen in the semi final, setting up their grand final appearance.
The San Clemente team will now travel to Penrith in Week 3 for the NSW Rugby League State Championships where they will play the winners of each region’s equivalent competitions.