The Haven's narrowly went down 30-22 to Red Bend Catholic College from Forbes in the final at Caltex Stadium last week in Dubbo.

They have become the first North Coast School in the history of the competition to be crowned Northern NSW Champions and were the only public school to feature in finals at Dubbo, out of five age groups. The boys also won all four games of a Nine's Tournament played prior to the Country Cup, meaning they finished their season with thirteen wins out of fifteen matches played this year.

Camden Haven High School began their campaign back in May, winning all four games against Wauchope High, Port Macquarie High, St Joseph's Regional, and St Pauls' to be crowned Mid-North Coast Champions. From there the accolades kept coming.

The North Coast finals, held in Port Macquarie on 11 June, saw Camden Haven High School walk away undefeated for a second time. The boys trained well and upped their game to meet the winners of the other districts.

A 56-0 victory over John Paul College from Coffs Harbor kicked off an impressive start to the day. This was followed up by a 26-6 win over Melville High School and a gritty 12-6 win over Great Lakes College from Forster to claim the North Coast Championship for the first time in Camden Haven High School's history.

Team captain, Tom Crossfield, George Simiana and Charlie Murray were the standouts on the day. Brad Kneipp and Jackson Wadwell were also highly commended for their defensive workloads.

The Northern NSW Championships, held in Coffs Harbor on the 22 July saw the winners of the North Coast, Northern Rivers, North-West and Upper-Hunter districts battle it out for a spot in the final. Camden Haven High School's first game against Farrer High School from Tamworth saw them beaten for the first time in the Country Cup.

A refereeing error at the death of the match proved costly for Camden Haven, going down 10-6. Their second game against All Saints College Lochinvar saw them bounce back with an impressive 12-10 win to set up an interesting finish to the day.

Camden Haven needed a big total in their final match against South Grafton, and for Lochinvar to beat Farrer, if they were any chance of winning the day. It was not an impossible scenario, but a very difficult one.

Fortune favoured the brave, when Camden Haven put on an audacious 44-6 win over South Grafton, and Farrer High choked in their last game to lose 16-14 against Lochinvar. This meant when the final scores were calculated Camden Haven High School were declared the winners on for and against points amongst scenes of joy and celebration. Ronan Bailey was declared player of the day, with Jackson Brannigan and Kaine Cafe featuring heavily in the try-scoring department.

This set up an intriguing final between Camden Haven High School, the Northern NSW Champions and Red Bend College Forbes, the Southern NSW Champions. The two schools knew little about each other going into the match, but certainly left with much respect for one another after a hard fought game.

Things didn't go to plan for Camden Haven in the opening exchanges and after two dropped balls in their own half, they conceded two tries to be down 12-0 in the first five minutes.

They soonregained their composure and hit back with two tries of their own. Kaine Cafe and Jackson Brannigan both crossed the line to take the score to 12-10. Red Bend College were fortunate to score a length of the field try, and then another just before half time to take a 24-10 lead into the break.

Camden Haven came out strong in the second half and controlled much of the territory and possession. Red Bend College scored against the run of play, and from there the Camden Haven boys were chasing a big lead.

Tries to Charlie Murray and Ryan Long got them close but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Ten more minutes may have seen Camden Haven come away with a victory, but Red Bend College held on to eventually win the game 30-22. Red Bend fullback, Ben Glasheen, was a judged the Man of the Match.

Head Coach, Mr Brett Anderson, and Assistant, Mr Phillip McVicar, couldn't have been any prouder of the boys' efforts and their ability to fight till the final whistle. Anderson maintained a strong focus on discipline throughout the campaign, both on and off the field, which was demonstrated in the final rounds. The boys should be congratulated for their massive achievement and the way they represented themselves, their school and their community.

A big thank you is extended to Riley Opdam, Blayne Lambert-Bignell, and Joel Kennedy for their assistance as trainers throughout the campaign, to Mr Ken Healy and Mrs Sally Kneipp for supervising and driving the bus, and to all the parents, family and friends who supported the boys along the way.

Camden Haven High School U13's Rugby League Team: Tom Crossfield (C), Jackson Brannigan (VC), Cailob Moss, Leeroy Facey, Ronan Bailey, David Dawra, Charlie Murray, Jackson Wadwell, Max Harris, George Simiana, Jaxsen Miller, Brad Kneipp, Ryan Long, Liam Betts, Jaison Burge, Robert Cortenay-Morriss, Jack Chapman, Jesse Green, Kaine Cafe.