SAINT Joseph's Regional College knew they were up against it.
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It proved to be the case at the year 7/8 All Schools touch football titles in Penrith last month although they were competitive right to the end.
Coach Simon Gudgeon said they started their campaign on the right note with a 2-1 win over Guyra before their tournament was brought to an abrupt end.
Defeats at the hands of St Eddies (1-0), St Dominic's (3-1) and Hunter Sports High School (3-1) meant they didn't qualify for the quarter-finals.
"They were all close games, but we were drawn in a really tough pool," Gudgeon said.
"St Eddie's are always a strong school; they won the 9/10 division and the other two schools are always good."
St Joey's task wasn't helped following the withdrawal of their two middles before the tournament with Blake Steep signing with the Sydney Roosters and Jalin Downey broke his collarbone.
"We had our two strong players out so if we had have had them, we probably would have made the quarter-finals," Gudgeon said.
The coach saved special mention for Jack Alchin and Aiden Grove who were two of the standouts.