Patrician Brothers Blacktown have set their sights on redemption after claiming the NSW PCYC Peter Mulholland Cup to book their place in the national final.
The western Sydney school suffered a heartbreaking defeat in last year's decider when Palm Beach Currumbin scored in the final minute to complete a miraculous comeback.
The pain of the loss has driven the side through this year's NSW PCYC Peter Mulholland Cup campaign and they earned a shot at redemption with a 36-24 win over Hunter Sports High School in Thursday's NSW state final.
The national final will be played at Leichhardt Oval on September 18, with the game to be live streamed and telecast by Channel 9.
"Last year was sad but we took our learnings from that," Patrician Brothers captain Romain Tuaimau said. "We became better from that, we're growing and we're a better side now because of it.
"After losing on the bell last year it's important we go and get the job done. We're looking forward to it, it will be a tough game but I back our side to be the best in the country and we'll be ready."
Patrician Brothers entered the final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium as heavy favourites, while Hunter were determined to continue an unexpected run to the final.
Thursday's contest was a see-sawing affair, with Patrician Brothers jumping out to a 12-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes.
Hunter clawed their way back into the match to level the scores before the defending champions struck twice on the stroke of half-time to kick 10 points clear.
Patrician Brothers closed the game out after the break, with player of the match Jasais Ah Kee slicing through to send Asa Visesio over for the trophy-sealing try.
Tuaimau said it was a testament to the side's mental strength to finish the game the way they did.
"This year is more special because being in year 12 it's our last year together," Tuaimau said. "There's nothing better than winning with the boys you grew up with.
"Hunter gave it to us, especially at the end. They kept coming and didn't stop for the whole 60 minutes but our boys stuck in there. We stuck to our processes and shapes and what our coaches Noah Meares and all the coaching staff give us. We stuck to that and held them out."
Earlier in the day, St Dominic's College held off a fast-finishing Westfields Sports High to claim the Under 13s Schoolboy Cup final 20-16, while Central Coast Sports College capped a stunning rise to defeat Westfields 18-14 in the NSW PCYC Schoolgirl Cup final.
