PORT Macquarie's mixed open touch team continued its State Cup buildup with a second consecutive Country Championships title over the weekend.
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Port knocked Wallsend Wolves over, winning the final 7-6 in Wollongong on Sunday.
Aaron Ison's team needed an amazing comeback though. Port was down 5-1 with 15 minutes left to play.
Port clicked into gear and brought home the win.
"We started pretty slowly," Ison said.
"We started playing better [in the last 15 minutes] but it took us a while.
"It was a good effort."
The final wasn't the only comeback Port had to put on.
Ison's crew was down 3-0 in the semi against Peninsula, and came back to win 8-7.
Port had some easy wins in the earlier round games.
After a bye in round one, Ison and co beat South East Tigers 12-1, Wallsend 6-2 and Albion Park 5-0.
Port rested some players for the last round match against Peninsula, and went down 4-2 on Sunday morning.
It had become clear that the team couldn't be knocked off the top spot in the pool.
Port downed Newcastle City 8-1 in the quarter final.
Ison was thrilled with the team's tournament, and now turns his attention to two more tournaments before the State Cup in Port Macquarie.
Port will play in the Hunter Championships on November 8 and 9 before the Peninsula Touch Football Knockout.
Then it's the State Cup from December 5-7.
Ison said his side was capable of going one better and making the top four this year.
"We've got a good mixture of experience and youth," he said.
"It's the hard games we seem to miss, but these tournaments will do us good."
