Melville High School boasted one of the greatest ever country school rugby league sides in 1988 and 1989 and on Saturday the players reunited for their 30-year reunion.
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The 1988 Melville side won the prestigious University Shield, as they defeated James Cook High School in the final at Parramatta Stadium.
The 1988 team also made the Commonwealth Cup semi-finals, the final four in Australia, but were defeated by the eventual winners the Parramatta Marists Brothers, a side which was led by future NRL star David Bayssari.
The 1989 team also made the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Cup but they again fell short of the final as they were defeated by St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown, a side which featured one of the all time greats Jason Taylor. The team was also coached by Jon Sutherland and managed by Phil Carroll.
Numerous players from the Melville team went on to play in the NRL.
The Hat Head born Wayne Bartrim played nine State of Origin games for Queensland and represented Australia on four occasions.
Paul Davis played 40 first grade games for the Balmain Tigers.
Melville High School played numerous games on national television and still to this day is regarded as the best Schoolboy rugby league team to come from country schools in Australia.
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