East Campbelltown Eagles fielded more than 280 players when round one of the Western Suburbs District Junior Rugby League competition kicked off on Saturday.
The club says this makes them the largest rugby league club in the Campbelltown region with 18 junior teams and four senior teams.
Over the past 12 months the Eagles say they have enjoyed an increase in participation numbers, bucking the general trend in rugby league in the area.
The club celebrated its growing success with a big win in first grade on Sunday, when the Eagles were too good for the Asquith Magpies.
Despite going off the game plan for part of the Sydney Shield match, the Eagles were convincing 36-16 winners.
The match was played at Waminda Oval and in front of a healthy East Campbelltown crowd.
The Eagles came out firing and when Brett Lahey pushed through a huge cut out ball Giovanni Vatuvei did the rest to open the scoring for the 2016 premiers.
Craig Moustakas scored a double as the home side raced to an early 14-0 lead.
The Magpies hit back to get on the board, but shortly after John Da Silva scored under the posts to stretch the Eagles lead to 20-4.
The tit for tat continued when the visitors scored on the stroke of half time to go into the sheds only 10 points behind at 20-10.
The home side scored first in the second through Ronny Palumbo to stretch the lead to 26-10.
Asquith once again hit back to stay in touch on the scoreboard, but the Eagles put it beyond doubt with two tries to Grant Lahey and John Da Silva.
Sean Connor, who picked up the Eagles players player award, kicked 4 from 7 for the home side.
Man of the match award went to Adam Soultan, while Grant Lahey, John Da Silva, and Giovanni Vatuvei were also standouts for the Eagles.
“We discussed our attitude at training and our boys responded,’’ said coach Richard Barnes after the match.
“The boys played brilliantly in the first 20 minutes, before getting off the game plan.
“But to their credit they got back on track from the second half and I don’t think the game ever looked in doubt,’’ Barnes said.
“Also, a great effort from Sean Connor and Adam Soultan today.’’
RESULTS:
East Campbelltown Eagles Sydney Shield 36 d Asquith Magpies 16;
East Campbelltown Eagles 1st Grade won on forfeit against Auburn Warriors;
East Campbelltown Eagles Reserve Grade 14 Arncliffe Scots 40;
East Campbelltown Eagles U19 34 d Maroubra 10.
NEXT WEEK: East Campbelltown Eagles take on Cabramatta two Blues at New Era Stadium Cabramatta on Saturday, April 29 at 3pm.
