Broncos Challenge: Marsden SHS rugby league squad sets sail for Broncos Challenge finals success
The Marsden SHS rugby league squad will set sail for more success next week when youth teams play in another three grand finals following yesterday’s Walters Cup victory.
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The Marsden SHS rugby league squad will set sail for more success next week when youth teams play in another three grand finals following yesterday’s Walters Cup victory.
Yesterday the Walters Cup squad beat Palm Beach Currumbin 26-8 to claim back-to-back Walters Cup premierships.
On Tuesday Marsden will play in another three schoolboy deciders when teams compete for the Broncos Old Boys Shield (year 7), the Renouf Shield (year 8) and Hancock Shield (year 9) grand finals at Langlands Park.
All matches will be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au, via the Gold Coast Bulletin and News affiliates.
Marsden SHS teams will confront Keebra Park SHS (Broncos Old Boys) and Palm Beach Currumbin (Renouf and Hancock Shields).
“As a community, we are extremely excited by the opportunity to challenge for the title in all four junior grades,’’ said Matthew Hartigan, Head of Department – Excellence.
RELATED LINKS
WATCH REPLAY OF PBC BEATING KEEBRA PARK IN LANGER CUP
Yesterday on Langer Cup grand final day, Gold Coast signing Will Semu and his dummy half teammate Mana Whakatau shone as Marsden SHS secured victory over PBC.
Marsden SHS co-captains Luke Bossoms and Sej Tauati were all smiles as they accepted a glistening trophy off the man himself, Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters.
“The Marsden community is exceptionally proud of the performance of our year 10s,’’ said Marsden SHS head of excellence Matt Hartigan.
“They have worked extremely hard to get to this point and thoroughly deserve the victory.’’
He praised PBC for a great season. “It was the best two teams in Queensland fighting it out.’’
Centre Semu was an absolute gun, the best player on display in the three matches leading up to the Langer Cup grand final.
Possessing speed, power and strength, Semu was a beauty, the real deal with an ability to find his winger on the chest with a pass while under the duress of being tackled.
Well done to the Titans talent scouts for picking him up when they did.
The good news for Marsden is that year 9 student Semu is eligible to play in the Hancock Shield side as well.
In the engine room Whakatau touched the ball more than anyone on the field and that was to Marsden’s everlasting benefit.
He was no one trick pony, cleverly deciding when to go himself straight or across the field, pass from the ruck or act as a ballplayer at the line.
In the first half Marsden speared its way to a three try advantage by halftime on the back of a powerhouse forward game and elite centre skills by centre Semu.
Semu put his winger Sifa Uilou over to score the opening try and then, with brunt strength and aggression, produced a powder keg 10m burst to score himself.
Hooker Whakatau also expertly brought his big men Kywyn Tialata, Sej Tauati and Rylan Fleming onto the ball, while also successfully carrying the ball himself.
Indeed he produced two clean breaks, one of which created Cody Hamilton’s try to give Marsden SHS a 14-nil lead.
Then straight after halftime, a spilt ball enabled Semu the chance to scoop up the ball and race 85m to score a converted try.
Scores: Marsden SHS 26 (W Semu 2, A Nanai, S Uilou, K Hamilton tries; K Hamilton 3 conv) def PBC T Ellem, J Forbes tries)
TUESDAY’S GRAND FINALS
Broncos Old Boys
Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
Renouf Shield
Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
Hancock Shield
Marsden SHS v PBC SHS