The Group 10 side, which featured Bathurst Panthers talents Adam Fearnley and Felix Quinn plus St Pat’s Aiden Kilburn, came from behind to win the final 16-6 over Samoa New South Wales.

It was five-eighth Fearnley who sparked the comeback with a try just before half-time, the four-pointer continuing what had been an impressive day of league from the emerging junior.

He was named the player of the tournament and rewarded with selection in the Harmony Cup All Stars honours side, with Orange CYMS duo Brock Campbell and Moung Dut also getting the nod after shining at halfback and fullback respectively.

Kurt Hancock, who co-coached the side with Mark Booth, said while that trio were standouts, the entire squad performed well against some quality opposition. The tournament involved 28 teams and more than 500 players.

“I was talking to Joe Galuvao, who used to play for the Penrith Panthers, he is running the tournament now. They were just blown away by the Group 10 side. We were so much smaller than everyone else,” Hancock said.

“The others sides were big and fast and the size difference – I couldn’t believe it. But we played to our strengths, we didn’t do anything different.

“It was really hot down there and that probably did suit us, but our footy sense was just outstanding. That was the difference.

“The scorelines show there wasn’t too much in it for all the games, but it was just a really good reward for all the kids. They worked so hard for us from day dot when we got them. They were all outstanding and they were also really respectful for the other teams we played and of what the day meant.”

With cultural dances before the games creating an atmosphere that Hancock said made for “one the most enjoyable days of footy” he had experienced in a long time, the Group 10 side set themselves for a big program of football.

Games were played over 24 minutes and Group 10 beat Malta (30-0), Samoa Academy (10-6) then Cook Islands (12-6) in their pool games to advance to the semi-finals.

There Group 10 held off Australian Fiji 12-6 to earn a shot at the Harmony Cup against Samoa NSW.

“We found ourselves down 6-0, but then Fearnz, Adam Fearnley, scored just before half-time and that made it 6-all,” Hancock said.

“Then we ended up running away with it, we won 16-6. The boys really did a good job across the field.”

Two other Bathurst players – Riley Cheshire and McCoy White – were named in the Group 10 under 16s squad, but did not take part in the Harmony Day carnival.

However, they still finished the weekend with a rugby league highlight after both were accepted into the Central Coast Centurions SG Ball squad. It is coached by former NSW State of Origin player Mark O’Meley.

“I took those boys down to trial with Central Coast Centurions. There were about 80-90 kids there and they were lucky enough to get in. The boys played really, really well,” Hancock said.

“The side is a feeder club to the Sydney Roosters, so it is a pretty big deal. 

“I am not sure what the boys are going to do, but they will play the St Helen’s under 18s when they come out here at the end of the month.”