ST MARY'S Primary School have gotten their David Peachey Shield title defence under way by claiming a 16-4 victory over St Laurence's at Wednesday's regional gala at Caltex Park.
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The squad dominated their pool early in the day to reach the semi-final undefeated, where they downed St Augustine's four tries to one (24-8), while St Laurence's had a much harder fight in their semi against St John's (12-8).
Both sides came out strong in the decider, with both teams trading sets before winger Will Malloy pushed his way over in the left-hand corner to put St Mary's on the board.
The side extended their lead minutes later courtesy of an intercept and full-field run out on the right wing, before Rory Dutton picked up a cheeky offload and muscled his way over for St Laurence's at the other end.
Will Malloy went over for his second to bring St Mary's lead out to two tries.
In reply, St Laurence's made a break down their left wing, with some tricky footwork and fast play-the-balls getting the blues within reach of the try line before their hopes were dashed by the half-time bell.
Will Malloy put his side on the board once more in the second half to lock in the win, with Latrell Fing awarded Man of the Match.
"They defended pretty well all day," St Mary's coach Shawn Townsend said.
"If you defend well then you play well.
"It's a big, long, taxing day. They've played six games today. And their season hasn't started yet so it's their first game and they've done a good job."
In a historic day for St Mary's, the Richardson Cup side also won their regional final over St John's. All four finalists will progress to the final deciders at Caltex Park on June 29.
ARL development officer Mick Armstrong said more than 500 students from 17 schools participated throughout the day.
"Everything has been played in the right spirit of the game which is good, which is what we always like to see and a lot of skill obviously around," Armstrong said.
"A lot kids around that have got plenty of natural skill and they get a good opportunity to showcase it here."
The annual regional gala day was held earlier in 2016 - it's hoped the extra time will give kids that got a taste of junior rugby league this week enough time to sign up for the 2016 season if they want to.
"Obviously we want as many people following rugby league as possible - we want more people playing it we want more people watching it - so it's a great opportunity for us to showcase our game to primary school students and as I said give them a taste and hopefully they like it and they keep coming back," Armstrong said.
"It's all about them, it's all about enjoying themselves. Obviously we do have winners at the end of the day but... it is all about the kids and making sure they have a good day and enjoy the opportunity to get out and have a run around."