Honours shared with St Brendan’s winning three finals, TCC two and Rocky Grammar one

Showcase of talent as teams turn it on in Rockhampton District School Sport rugby union grand finals. Read who took the honours here.

St Brendan’s College have won the Rockhampton District School Sport First XV rugby union title for the first time in 21 years.

They scored a hard-fought 15-12 win over Rockhampton Grammar School on Sunday in the last of six deciders played at Rugby Park.

It was a good day for St Brendan’s, who swept the boys’ competition.

They won the under-13s 27-7 against Grammar and the under-15s 31-5, also against Grammar.

The Cathedral College claimed a double in the girls, winning the under-13s 20-7 against Rockhampton Grammar and the under-15s 22-15 against Rockhampton Girls Grammar.

Grammar tasted success in the open girls, beating Emmaus College 10-7.

St Brendan’s director of sport Luke Caplick credited the school’s success to not only the talented players but the commitment and drive from the coaches involved in the rugby program.

“It’s nice to have some victories.We thought we were a chance in all three grades but we didn’t expect to go as well as we did,” he said.

“It’s been a long time for our First XV - 2001 was the last time we won that one.

“We have a renowned rugby league program but over the last few years, we’ve had a group of coaches who have worked really hard to build the profile of rugby union in the school.

The Cathedral College won both the under-13 and under-15 girls grand finals.

“Our coaches are passionate about rugby and we saw the fruits of that this year but it didn’t just happen overnight.”

Matt Cullen coached the under-13 boys, Paddy O’Toole and Roanne Waretini the under-15 boys and Connor Williams the First XV.

They were supported by old boys Rhys Watson (under-13) and Jye Watson (First XV).

Caplick said the three boys’ finals were all “tight tussles”, despite the score lines in the two younger age groups suggesting otherwise.

He said the First XV final was a seesawing contest.

Matt Cullen coached the under-13 boys, Paddy O’Toole and Roanne Waretini the under-15 boys and Connor Williams the First XV.

They were supported by old boys Rhys Watson (under-13) and Jye Watson (First XV).

St Brendan's College won the three boys premiership trophies on offer - under-13, under-15 and the First XV.

Caplick said the three boys’ finals were all “tight tussles”, despite the score lines in the two younger age groups suggesting otherwise.

He said the First XV final was a seesawing contest.

St Brendan’s scored early before Grammar worked their way back into the game to lead 7-5 at half-time.

St Brendan’s scored the first points of the second half to make it 12-7 before Grammar scored in the corner with about five minutes to go to level it up at 12-all.

St Brendan’s dominated in the final stages and were awarded a penalty which would ultimately decide the game.

Halfback Austin Monteath stepped up and landed it, capping his Player of the Match performance.

Captain and front rower Jake Pierce led from the front, while breakaway Diezel Brunker was constantly at the ball on the breakdown.

Caplick said the majority of the players would now turn their focus to rugby league for the upcoming schoolboys competition.