St Matthews Catholic School teacher Justin McCarney was one of the coaches involved in the Knox Grammar-hosted tournament, as well as Mudgee star turned NSW Waratah Matt Sandell.

The CCC team played a number of trials leading into the event, downing CHS, AICES and ISA II before entering into the NSW School Trials pools.

CCC were drawn against one of the regular powerhouses of the tournament, CAS, and it looked like a defeat was first up on the cards for the team.

In what was the first of a series of upsets for the eventual winners, CCC took out the CAS stalwarts 17-5, before going on to defeat ISA 39-22.

CHS, another team that has traditionally struggled against the bigger associations, also claimed two wins against AICES and juggernaut GPS.

The upset wins across the board set the scene for a new champion in the tournament, either the runner-up regulars CHS or the first-time finalists in CCC.

CHS looked bound  for glory as they jogged out to an early lead, but the game came down to a kick by the fullback for CCC after a penalty was awarded 35 metres out, and five metres in from touch.

The kicker, who had missed both his previous two attempts at goal, slotted the chance between the posts to give CCC the 16-15 win, and claim their maiden NSW Schools title.

McCarney was extremely proud of the guts it took the CCC boys to take out the top spot, and was glad they were able to pick up a reward for their determination.

“It is extremely pleasing to see the boys rewarded based on their incredible success and not on which association they were affiliated with,” he said.

“As a teacher in a country area it is wonderful to see that 16 of the 23 man squad picked for CCC were from country areas.”

McCarney now returns to local coaching, as his junior side the Mudgee Dragons Under 11 Whites have remained undefeated all season and eye a consecutive premiership for their efforts.