Orange Public School's rugby side has come tantalisingly close to being named the state's best school side but are chuffed to have finished in second spot after Wednesday's finals in Sydney with Dan Ritchie being named player of the tournament.
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The side became the most successful Orange side to compete in the Brian Palmer PSSA competition after a 38-7 win over Temora to open the day's account.
Warialda, from the Hunter Valley, proved too strong in the final as they claimed the title in a hard-fought 17-7 victory.
The OPS five-eighth Ritchie starred all tournament, and OPS coach Drew Bale said was "really good", leading the side through their final two matches.
The OPS mentor said the first game against Temora showed off the side's strengths, with Noah Vaotangi "cutting up the middle", Sam Hill scoring two tries on the win and Andrew Thomson also getting involved.
The ruck was a key part of that win, but the tables would be reversed against Warialda.
"They were dominant in the rucks, backs were bouncing through tackles and even though we rallied at the end they were too good," Bale said.
While the students were "disappointed" post-game, Bale said his charges were seeing their achievement in a brighter light on Thursday.
"They're pretty chuffed, yesterday they were disappointed and felt they could have gone all the way but they're wearing their medals around school today," he said.
"They all played well."
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