Karyn Murphy Cup finals’ day won by schoolgirl league powerhouses Mabel Park SHS, Keebra Park SHS
Schoolgirls rugby league powerhouse Mabel Park SHS and Keebra Park SHS won their respective competitions at the Karyn Murphy Cup NRL State Championships held today at Redcliffe.
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Schoolgirls rugby league powerhouses Mabel Park SHS and Keebra Park SHS won their respective competitions at the Karyn Murphy Cup NRL State Championships held today at Redcliffe.
The crack Mabel Park SHS Year 11-12 team claimed the senior competition for the second successive year while Mabel Park SHS also won the Year 9-10 title.
Keebra Park SHS snuck past Mabel Park’s grasp to claim the Year 7-8 grand final.
State championships finals’ day was the culmination of competition between 234 Queensland schools across the three secondary school age division.
League great Karyn Murphy, whom the competition was named in honour of, was on hand for grand final day.
“Someone like myself did not have the opportunity to play at school,” Murphy reflected.
“To see how far it has come makes me really happy.
“It is great to have definite pathways that they can play right through.”
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Cup final day had every drama imaginable in rugby league and the female side of the code is in the finest of hands given the talent on display.
Mabel Park SHS were mighty in the Year 11-12 decider.
On a sun drenched Redcliffe Oval, Mabel Park jumped their rivals to lead 16-4 and put a down payment on victory against a willing Keebra Park.
Rangy Indee Brown scored twice while Ula Vaitalo and Keilee Joseph scored to lay foundations for victory.
Mabel Park were big, but they were clever to boot with Courtney Tamati at the steering wheel and Joseph an inspiration in the heat.
Superb play by Keebra Park’s Faith Tutauha and No. 3 Tyesha Mikaio dragged the scoreline back to 8-20, but Mabel Park went on with the job to win 32-12.
Mabel Park’s Mackenzie Baty was brilliant for her school in the Year 9-10 final won 16-4 by the Logan City based school.
She shredded the defence which led to Rialey Baty diving over and then created a try for Azaria Brill by following through her own grubber kick.
Baty could play tough or with deft touches and is a real footballer.
Winger Adrianne Cracknell, who was involved in the lead-up to Mabel Park’s first try, also scored and was a handful out wide.
Kirwan Park got back in the first half through a try to Jairel Martin-Savage and the quality of the match cannot be understated.
A bumper rivalry between these two outstanding teams is eagerly anticipated over the next two years.
The match hung in the balance throughout the second as Kirwan bravely repelled Mabel until Mabel Park scored with three minutes remaining to secure a 16-4 win.
Three magnificent first half tries gave Keebra Park a down payment on a 24-4 victory in the Year 7-8 grand final over Mabel Park.
A try right on halftime to Mabel Park breathed life into a contest highlighted for the most part by Keebra Park try scorers Taverna Papalii, Skyia Adams and Easther Mikaele.
Papalii was a beautiful mover with balance and a swerve and looks a fine talent.
She also displayed amazing hands to regain her own grubbed kick and score.
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Importantly Keebra Park scored first in the second to extend their lead to 16-4.
Beenleigh SHS year 9-10 lost a thrilling qualifying match with Kirwan SHS 12-8, but for Beenleigh they were winners by just making it to the Cup final day.
Coach Sarah Te Iwimate said playing on finals’ day was reward for all the hard work players and rugby league academy coaches were putting in.
“We are working hard to develop our program at Beenleigh SHS.
“We are really proud to say at Beenleigh we build players, we don’t buy them.
“This is the first few years we have ever played and we started from the bottom and built up.’’
She said players operated under the schools value system of pride, aspiration, commitment and trust.
“Our girls are strong and talented and will be the future of our program and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
In the crunch game against Kirwan, Beenleigh No. 7 Emma Barnes led the way for the losers.
It was a fantastic match and advertisement for girls’ rugby league.
Another highlight of the day was a try-saving tackle by Kirwan Park Year 9-10 player Theophelia Mosby-Nona.
In the heat and wind, she chased down a runaway Mabel Park Player when all seemed lost.
Kirwan went onto draw that match which helped them later in the tournament to qualify for the final.
NRL Female Participation Coordinator Keeown Rawnsley said in three years participation had grown from 170 teams to 234.
She said the competition provided equal opportunity and participation, not only for players but also female officials.
Rawnsley said the key to the tournament was introducing and engaging them in the sport
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