The Wollongong Police Falcons proudly hoisted the Graeme Donnelly Cup trophy above their heads after winning a thrilling rugby league game against arch rivals Lake Illawarra Lions during charity match.
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The afternoon of fun and competition raised more than $10,000 for NSW Police Legacy and saw family members of fallen officers and hundreds of spectators enjoy the seventh annual event at Collegians Sports Complex in Figtree on Sunday.
The main match kicked off with Falcons captain John Jackson led from the front. He broke through the Lions' defence to score in the corner. 'Jacko' then used his skills again to evade the defence and crossed the line again, bringing the score to 10-nill at half time.
The Falcons' secret weapon, 135 kilogram young police officer Jackson Weeks was a standout player. The final score was 20 to 10. Lions captain Andrew Atkins was proud of his side's efforts.
The presentation was held and Falcons stalwart Dan O'Leary received the trophy for clubman of the year.
Sergeant Bob Minns, who played in the winning Falcons side, said the day had a "great family atmosphere".
"It is great that the police family came together to remember those from the past in a positive way," he said
"We had a great game of touch football named after Senior Constable Ray Schuberg and a great contest in the Sergeant Col Stevenson tug-of-war."
The rugby league game between Corrective Services Cougars and the Illawarra Titans kicked off the event.
The Senior Sergeant Herb Clunas Memorial Schools Challenge and the Emergency Services Fitness Challenge were held.
Families also enjoyed games, a jumping castle, raffles and barbeque.
The Cup is named in honour of Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly who died in 2013 and pays tribute to fallen officers Sergeant Nick Skomarow, Sergeant Col Stevenson, Senior Constable Ray Schuberg, Detective Steve Tier, Sergeant Bernie Doyle and Senior Constable Pat Carney from the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra commands.