Ballymore Cup: Gala finale to schoolboy carnival

The prestigious Ballymore Cup schoolboy rugby union competition has been run and won, with more than 800 players competing. Report, team of the tournament announcement.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School won the prestigious Ballymore Cup after beating Downlands College in the grand final this afternoon at Albany Creek.

The Coast side prevailed 20-12 over a willing Downlands’ outfit which contested the final to the bitter end.

In the earlier Division 2 decider, Gold Coast school Emmanuel College defeated Ignatius Park from Townsville, while Iona College claimed the under 15 title and under 13 premiership.

The winning Sunshine Coast Grammar side. PIC: Brendan Hertel/QRU

The player of the tournament was Sunshine Coast Grammar flanker Kaan Aiken, a huge achievement considering 800 players from across Queensland converged on the Ballymore Cup.

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In the grand final, Sunshine Coast Grammar produced a more polished performance.

But despite having its nose in front for almost all of the clash, it took a try saving tackle by Jake O’Hara on Downlands’ fullback Jarvis Budby late in the clash to ensure his team’s eight point advantage was not reduced.

Sunshine Coast Grammar celebrate the win.

Downlands also had some bloody minded defence, and with the match in the balance at 15-12, the side produced five minutes of brave tackling across the field before Grammar fullback Finn Harris broke the tension with a matchwinning try.

Grammar outside Jim Kleinschmidt was also a handful for the winners while his winger Joe Wikaira had a memorable game, scoring twice, including a 30m burst for his second try.

Downlands College after the grand final.

Grammar coach Hosea Gear said it was simply an outstanding team performance and he was unable to single a player out.

“We worked really hard for a number of months and I could not be more proud as a coach,’’ Gear said.

The championship winning Iona College under 15 team.

“I pushed them pretty hard and demanded quite a lot from them, not just myself but the whole staff, and we are over the moon.’’

Boston Tagg, Tai Dowling and Sam Willis of Emmanuel College.

He said as much as he would like to nominate his key players, “I told the boys it was not going to take one or two players’’ to win.

Downlands College coach, Queensland great and former Wallaby Garrick Morgan praised Grammar for being a “foot ahead of us’’.

Riko Gear of Somerset, whose brother Hosea was the championship winner. PIC: Brendan Hertel/QRU

Morgan said the best was yet to come from his squad which was at the start of their season.

“We are like a blunt axe at the moment that needs to be sharpened. We have to upskill some more and focus on those little things to stop the one percentage errors.’’

Hayden Pearce after the Division 2 grand final.

He said his tight head prop Trevor King, back five forward Willem Pienaar and five-eighth Albert Dynevor were best.

Indeed it was Pienaar who led Downlands last gasp push toward getting back into the match as the clocked ticked on.

Downlands hooker Michael Toohey scored an outstanding rolling maul try in the second half to revive his side, a five-pointer for those who love their forward rugby.

Iona College 15s won the title. PIC: Brendan Hertel/QRU

In the Division 2 grand final, Emmanuel College got the job done 12-5 over Ignatius Park.

Emmanuel College coach Nick Collins said it was an outstanding campaign led by Boston Tagg, Tai Dowling and Sam Willis.

Ignatius Park shake hands after the Div 2 final.

“I was so pleased with the way the boys brought themselves together after we had a few injuries coming in,’’ he said.

“A number of players who were a little unfamiliar with their roles stepped up.

“They really believed in each other and trusted each other and most of all they displayed character.

“To stand back as a coach and watch is so rewarding.’’

Padua College enjoyed meeting some Reds players. PIC: Brendan Hertel/QRU

Team of the tournament: Keegan Donoghue, Noah Hartley, Nate Heipi, Beau Brown, Spencer Smalacombe, Larry Siala, Kaan Askew, Willem Pienaar, Mitchell Rogers, Albert Dynevor, Joe Hertrich, Zach Nicholls, Joe Wikaira, Ashton Governlocke, Blake Miller.