Inverell Highlanders defeated Miami State High School by golden point in extra time to win the women's division of the 2020 Buy a Bale Drought Breaker 7s competition.
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Hosted by the Highlanders at Rugby Park, a total of $10,000 was up for grabs, including equal prize money for the men's and women's winners on Saturday and Sunday.
There were four teams in total in the women's pool where as the men's was split into three pools; four teams in each.
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It was the Coffs Harbour Stingers who took the top spot in the men's final with local team, the Kanganuts Brothers a solid second.
Highlander Jock Barnett said the local women did well to win against Miami, a Gold Coast team of U18s who travel to different tournaments as part of a specialist 7s rugby program.
"The final score was 22-17. Our girls managed a golden point four minutes into extra time. It was a great game to watch," he said.
Ram Rats (Bingara/Baraba), Moree and a Central North side also competed in the women's pool.
In the men's final Kanganuts Brothers were defeated by Coffs Stingers 17-12.
"The Kanganuts Brothers are a local team made up of Highlanders players and some of our Fijian community. The Ram Rats ended up in third place, they're Bingara/Baraba," Barnett said.
Other competitors in the men's pools included a Dhinawhan Dreaming Aboriginal development squad from Campbell Town, Tamworth Magpies, Glen Innes, Armidale, Tingha, Inverell Hawks and a Graman side.
"It was great to see Rugby Park filled to capacity. We had upward of 500 people through the gate. It was hot but players did well considering. I think they enjoyed the ice baths between games."
Bindaree Beef Best and Fairest award winners were Lucy Single of Miami and Josh Walker of Coffs Stingers.
The Highlanders will back up again on the weekend for a trial match against Toowoomba Bears and the Armidale Barbarians.
Once again, spectators are welcome down to Rugby Park for an action-packed Saturday of games.
"We're looking at five men's teams, three women's teams and our golden oldies having a run against Narrabri and Moree."
President Lou Wilson thanked sponsors Buy A Bale, Bindaree Beef and The Tatts Hotel.
