The Reds boys played eight games over three days, which you would think would tire them out, but they then organised their own friendly games back at their accommodation.

The Pokolbin team has made some great friends with other clubs, particularly from Avoca, and quite a few of them volunteered to play for the opposing teams that were short on players – even when this meant that the Nerang Bulls that borrowed four of their players, went on to then beat the Reds.

This was one of only two losses for Pokolbin – the other was to a representative team from GPS Ashgrove Brisbane – and both losses were by one try.

The young Reds continue to amaze club officials with their improvement, and such a good time was had that plans are under way for next year.

The Pokolbin team’s tremendous effort was recognised with the top prize, the Spirit of Rugby Award.

The club thanked Simon and Sally Gough of Binnorie Dairy who sponsored the boys’ personalised jerseys for the challenge; coaches Rhys Eather and Matt Meyers, manager Steve Harris, and to all the parents and adults for the organisation and travelling, with particular mention to Steve Norris and Lou Eather.

The team was made up of Seth Koop, Ben Courtney, Connor Campbell, Aidan Eather, Tame Tua (individual Spirit of Rugby recipient), Angus McLellan, Billy Norris, Laine Meyers, Zac Harris, Ash Parkinson (players’ player day three), Alec Gough, Ethan O’Neill (players’ player day one), Zack Fitzpatrick (players’ player day two), Thomas Page and Henry Murray.