Pelican Flat Public School had never fielded a team in the Primary Schools Sports Association Rugby League Knockout - low enrolment numbers had always ruled it out.

But this year, new rules allowed the school to enter a combined side with Blacksmiths Public School, and the pairing went further than anyone expected.

The team won three straight matches to reach the Classic Shield final at Kurri Kurri, beating Biddabah Public School 6-0 in the quarter-final and edging Thornton 14-10 with a golden-point try after full time.

In the decider, they came from 12-4 down at half time - with the bench empty after injuries - to beat two-time defending champions Scone PS 14-12 to seal the title and Hunter Region Champions honours.

That win sent the combined side to the state quarter finals in Port Macquarie against Narraweena Public School, whose line-up included the NSW Rugby League captain and vice-captain.

Pelican Flat/Blacksmiths went down 36-10 but regrouped to beat South Grafton Public School to finish the tournament ranked fifth in the state.

Parent and coach Darren Martin, who had two sons in the side, said the campaign ranked among the best experiences of his coaching career.

"It was a great opportunity for two small schools to combine, to compete and win the Hunter area of the competition with only 25 kids eligible in Year 5/6 is a great achievement," he said.

"We probably didn't expect to make it past the first round, but they just kept banding together and improving. Considering some of the kids hadn't played league before, and didn't even all know each other, being from two schools, it really was an amazing accomplishment.

"The kids were always positive, never letting ego get in the way of teamwork."