DORA Creek Swampies defeated Belmont Souths 44-4 to win the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League's A-Grade grand final on Saturday.
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It was Dora Creek's first premiership in 13 years, and it sparked jubilant celebrations.
Coach David Hoban said it was clear how much the team meant to the town.
"The number of supporters we had was unbelievable and the scenes at the ground (Waratah Oval) and back at Dora Creek Workers Club afterwards will be remembered forever," Hoban said.
"Everything went to plan beautifully for us on Saturday, and it will be a day we will never forget."
In many ways, the game followed a familiar pattern for the Swampies: the opposition starts strongly, looks threatening, and it's tight at halftime. But disciplined defence from Dora Creek, coupled with resilience and a preparedness to play football under pressure sees the score blow out in the second stanza.
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Dora Creek led just 8-4 at the break on Saturday.
What that scoreline didn't show was the confidence Dora Creek's players took from their goal-line defence.
"As has been the situation all year, we defended five sets on our try line before half time and kept turning Belmont away," Hoban said.
"They couldn't break our line."
The optimism that generated in the Dora Creek room at half time was palpable.
"At half time, I spoke about continuing to be patient with the ball. We didn't get many opportunities in the first half and knew things would turn.
"I was very happy with our first 40 minutes so just reinforced that we needed to stay positive with everything we did.
"The boys were great, and so upbeat at half time."
And they carried that attitude back onto the field.
Dora Creek ran in second-half tries to winger Sam Agalidis (a double), centre Scott Fitzpatrick, fullback Israel Smith, hooker Zac Brown and Paddy Murphy.
Winger Tom Patullo crossed in the first stanza.
Halfback Boston Smith was Man of the Match. Agalidis and prop Justin Ferris also impressed the coach.
