The Highlanders have taken out the annual Armidale Knockout on a couple of occasions and now they can add the Guyra 10s to their list after outlasting Robb College 1 in a Final that was forced into extra time. They scored the only points of extra time after the Students had scored two late tries to draw level. It wasn’t Robbs first comeback for the tournament, having staged an earlier one in its semi final against Guyra.

The Ghosts produced a dominant first half to lead 15-0 at the break but Robb found its attacking groove in the second half to eliminate the host.

The Highlanders defeated St Alberts in the other semi final

The tournament attracted teams from the New England, central North and Southern Queensland, with 28 games played on the day.

The Ghosts started strongly with a victory over St Alberts 2 and an impressive win over the Armidale Blues.

They then tackled the Highlanders and got away to an early lead. Only for the Highlanders to fight back and the game finish in a 15 all draw.

But after protesting the result, believing they scored a try that wasn’t by the referee, the Highlanders were awarded the points.

The Ghosts finished their pool games with a 40-0 thrashing of Robb 2 to place second behind the Highlanders, with the top two moving through to the semis.

Guyra’s best over the day captain Dan Brown, Matt Gittoes, Korie Paio, Rob Ivey and new recruit Beau Orchard. Their next game is a trial against the Yamba Buccaneers this weekend