Future Cowboys, in-form upsetters and fading favourites in Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge
The fields of Mackay were graced with future NRL stars, while in-form underdogs triumphed and favourites faded in the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge.
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The latest round of the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge is done and dusted.
St Patrick’s College trekked to Rockhampton with Mercy College for their clashes with The Cathedral College, while Mackay High hosted a raft of other schools.
Kirwan, St Brendan’s, Ignatius Park, Emmaus College and Rockhampton Grammar all played their games in Mackay.
Here are five things we have learned from the action in Mackay.
Mackay is flying High
Mackay State High School’s senior side may be without a win in this year’s campaign, but the school is shining bright is its junior program.
The school has won its past two Cowboys Challenge clashes, with a 20-10 victory over Emmaus College following a 24-16 upset against Kirwan.
After big losses against St Patrick’s College and Ignatius Park before school holidays, the side has surprised many with its post-break form.
St Pat’s need to run out games better
St Pat’s travelled to Rockhampton to play undefeated The Cathedral College, and enjoyed an early 14-point buffer.
The strong start overturned quickly, with the home side flexing its muscles after falling behind.
The Cathedral College held an 18-14 lead at half time, scoring three tries in the final 15 minutes of the first half, before pulling out to a dominant 36-18 victory on home soil.
St Pat’s coach Michael Comerford will have plenty of work to do before a home clash against Rockhampton Grammar.
Ignatius Park is a Cowboys breeding ground
Despite back-to-back trips to Mackay, Ignatius Park has enjoyed a fruitful time in the sugar city.
The Townsville side dismantled a strong St Pat’s outfit in its last clash, and followed it up with a dominant 70-4 win against Rockhampton Grammar.
Iggy Park has long been a perennial contender in the Aaron Payne Cup, and with talents like Tom Duffy already in NRL development with the North Queensland Cowboys, the side is set to continue its dominance.
Jesse Wallace does a tough job well
It can be hard being the captain of a winless side, but Jesse Wallace performs the job admirably.
The Mackay High skipper takes charge of his team and controls the players, despite lining up at prop.
The untraditional position for a captain to play does not change the way Wallace leads, with the skipper bursting through packs and sticking hard tackles.
Wallace is consistently one of Mackay High’s best players in the Aaron Payne Cup, all with the added pressure of leadership.
Travellers show no Mercy
After the disappointment of losing at home last week, Mercy College is back on the winners list with an 18-6 victory against The Cathedral College.
Travelling to Rockhampton and playing competitive football on the same day is no easy accomplishment, but Mercy played a full game of solid rugby league, scoring first and maintaining the lead throughout.
Jaxon Purdue scored the first try of the game, and when the home side drew even in the second half Mercy pulled away again with two quick tries.
Last year’s grand finalists are building through the Cowboys Challenge, and should contend again this season.
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