Three primary schools in Sutherland Shire have been successful in winning their respective divisions at the annual NSW All Schools Knockout carnival which attracts 100 schools and 1500 players from under 9s to open age primary.
The three state titles schools representing Cronulla were the most successful in the carnival at St Marys.
Engadine West (10As division), Kurnell (10Bs division) and Gymea Bay (open A division) had well-earned victories.
Engadine West Public battled hard before defeating St Joseph’s Taree 18-6.
Kurnell Public won convincingly, 28-0, against St Paul’s Gateshead.
Gymea Bay Public reversed an earlier narrow pool loss in showing great character to defeat Mona Vale Public, 10-6, in a keenly contested affair.
With the scores locked at 6-all at full time, it was a Gymea Bay try in extra time which won the match.
One of the largest and most successful sporting schools in the region, Gymea Bay had made the open A final several times but never captured the title.
The victory was a worthy reward for long-serving teacher and coach, Brett Speer, who has been a great supporter of primary school rugby league over many years.
In other divisions, St Patricks Sutherland were defeated in the semis by eventual winners Regentville PS (Penrith), Our Lady of Fatima were defeated in the semis by St Michael's Baulkum Hills (Parramatta) and Miranda North (open B division) had a win and two losses from three games played.
The carnival continues over the next two days with high schools and specialist sports high schools in action.
Is your school competing in the carnival? Click on the comment link below to tell us how you went.