Coombabah State High School v St Mary’s College Toowoomba in Langer Cup playoff thriller
Coombabah State High School is on a tightrope walk toward participating in this year’s elite schoolboy Langer Cup rugby league competition, with the Firsts having to get past St Mary’s College Toowoomba to clinch the sixth and final place.
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Coombabah State High School is on a thrilling tightrope walk toward participating in this year’s elite schoolboy Langer Cup rugby league competition, with the Firsts having to get past St Mary’s College Toowoomba to clinch the sixth and final place.
Coombabah SHS will play Saints on July 22 in Toowoomba, one week ahead of the start of the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Langer Cup competition.
All five other places in the competition have been established, leaving Coombabah SHS and St Mary’s in a qualifying shootout.
LANGER CUP 2020: KEEBRA STATE HIGH SCHOOL
Coombabah SHS coach Rod Pryor said there was no pressure on his team because the task was simple.
They merely had to play to their ability, and they were every chance of returning to the Langer Cup after two years away from the top tier competition.
“There is no pressure, but if we play to the best of our ability, we are good enough to be in that competition,’’ Pryor said.
“Our issue for us is depth. We don’t have as much depth as other schools, but you just have to prepare and do the best we can.’’
Pryor said he had a nice blend of youth and experience at his disposal and was looking to build on the qualifying game performance, pre-COVID-19 against Mabel Park, when “we controlled the ball and got good field position’’.
He said the COVID-19 break provided the squad with an ideal opportunity to work on strength, conditioning and skills.
Coombabah SHS captain Brodyn Gudgeon said the group was jumping out of their skin to play.
“It has been a long wait,’’ he said.
“Everyone has been itching to get on the field,’’ said Gudgeon, who has experience playing under 20s with the Burleigh Bears.
“We are keen to get out on the paddock and have a lot of fun.’’
Gudgeon said the senior players in the side were enjoying guiding the younger footballers along.