Harvey Norman U17, U19 and Connell Cup semi-finals top players, magic moments
Harvey girls, Connell Cup semi finals: The 40 Players of the Finals revealed here after the Bears snatched a remarkable extra time win in the game of the season, earning a grand final berth.
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The Burleigh Bears centre Kingston Seve produced one of the great redemption efforts to win the Connell Cup semi-final in extra time for his side and book a Connell Cup grand final berth against Mackay Cutters.
The Bears beat Wynnum Manly 24-20 after Seve scored a remarkable 30m try, beating seven or eight defenders on his way to grounding the ball.
Minutes earlier, in the final seconds, and with Burleigh leading 20-18, fellow centre Israel Lotaki was a hero when he saved a try by barrelling Devine Timu over the sideline.
But adding to the drama, Lotaki was penalised for a shoulder charge.
Wynnum Manly halfback Lachlan Hooker then stepped up and booted the penalty goal from the sideline, sending the game into extra time.
All this after Wynnum Manly had led 18-4 with 12 minutes remaining, only to be overrun in the closing stages as Burleigh’s Seve, prop Tyrell Schwenke and second rower Simione Tauelangi ramped up their games.
Seve’s match winning surge to score was even more sweeter after his elite rival, Dean Tauaa, had beaten him to score during the first half.
Aside from the Bears-Cutters Connell Cup decider, grand final weekend will also feature the Tigers playing the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Harvey Norman U17s, while the Clydesdales will clash with the Tigers in the Harvey U19 grand final.
FINALS RESULTS
Harvey Norman U17s
Tigers 38 defeated Tweed 14
Falcons 20 defeated Capras 16
Harvey Norman U19s
Clydesdales 24 defeated Cutters 8
Tigers 28 defeated Tweed 12
Connell Cup
Cutters 40 defeated Falcons 10
Burleigh 24 defeated Wynnum Manly 20
MENINGA CUP, round 8
Bears 38 beat Ipswich 12
Redcliffe 46 beat Clydesdales 10
Devils 42 beat Cutters 10
Souths Logan 30 beat Blackhawks 20
Tweed 48 defeated Pride 4
Wynnum Manly 38 defeated Capras 12
PLAYERS OF THE SEMI-FINALS
WYNNUM MANLY v BURLEIGH, Connell Cup
KINGSTON SEVE (Burleigh)
Although Wynnum’s Dean Tauaa beat him man on man for one try, Seve transformed himself into a sensational extra time match winner with his 30m individual try which won the game for Burleigh.
Aside from that remarkable finishing effort, three try hero Seve was strong across the game and ripped in with all his heart. He was devastating with his ruck runs, taking many metres off the Wynnum defenders with power, strength and determination.
Seve took a power of pulling down and also scored the try which dragged his side back from a 18-10 deficit with nine minutes remaining.
DEAN TAUAA (Wynnum Manly)
With limited chances, Tauaa was a class above with his two solo tries in the first half, and numerous powerhouse runs from dummy half.
To score his first try he took advantage of man on man defence from a scrum feed to beat his rival, the accomplished Kingston, on the outside to score from 20m out.
Later in the half he took a pass one off the ruck, 80m out, and scorched the earth on his way to scoring, beating the fullback and forlorn cover defence to cross.
TYRELL SCHWENKE (Burleigh)
Schwenke was enormous with his second stint in the final 15 minutes of the match, an effort which included him barrelling over to score under the posts. It was a super human performance given the traffic he was confronting.
HARVEY SMITH (Burleigh Bears)
The Burleigh five-eight, Smith’s astute kicking game led to the field position for his team’s first try, and his organisation around the ruck positioned his teammates to put pressure on the Wynnum defensive line.
ZEKE JONES (Wynnum Manly)
The dynamic hooker had another great game, with his speed taking full advantage of momentum generated by his teammate’s play the balls.
His service was crisp and he was one of the first to arrive when Wynnum launched kick-chase tactics.
TUPOU FRANCIS (Burleigh)
Francis again gave his all for his side, trying to inspire them with dynamic runs around the ruck and aggressive defence. He has had an outstanding season.
BARRY TAUKOLO (Wynnum Manly)
The whiz kid fullback used his elusive footwork and explosive speed to full effect around the ruck, giving the Seagulls momentum from the defensive end of the field.
He was always pushing up in support just in case. At one stage in the second half he also made two tackles in a row as the Bears honed in on a desperately needed try.
SIMONE TAUELANGI (Burleigh)
He had a big work ethic, racing back behind the ball to take early rucks out of the defensive end, while being threatening in attack with his right edge surges. He was a considerable running threat and strong defensively on a dangerous side of the field.
KOBY McGARRITY (Wynnum Manly)
Along with his blood brother, Daniel Cash, and fellow middle forward Franck Iraguha, front rower McGarrity did the hard yards early, and again straight after the halftime break. He pushed up into the teeth of a ravished Burleigh pack which was looking for an easy kill.
FYNN LAFFRANCHI (Bears)
Burleigh winger Fynn Laffranchi ran himself to a standstill in a performance which said alot about the effort of his side.
TIGERS v TWEED, Harvey 17s
Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell (Tigers)
Talk about the cream rising to the top. The Tigers’ captain and power forward was flawless in the first half, with her subtle passing and strength to unload complementing the go forward of her teammates.
Her cover defending tackle 10 minutes from the end blocked Tweed’s last throw of the ditch and saved a certain try. It was a wonderful performance by the Tigers’ captain.
Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu (Tigers)
Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu finished the day the undisputed queen of the props.
She was unstoppable in the last quarter of the game, blowing the match open every time she touched the ball.
Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu was also outstanding at the start, and across the game she joined captain Henry-Purcell and hooker Enah Desic as the most influential Tigers players on the field.
Enah Desic (Tigers)
Not surprisingly, the little hooker was up for the fight.
A goal kicking ace, Desic produced a booming tackle which dislodged possession and led to her side scoring.
Her delivery to her first receivers was elite, as was her Judgement on when to go herself and when not to.
Her trick kick-off also led to winning possession back for the Tigers from the restart after halftime.
She played as an extra half or running No.13 when interchange hooker Taylor Martin-Habib came onto the field.
Peyton Fakaosilea and Charity Faalogo (Tigers)
In the 10 minutes leading up to halftime and immediately after the break, the two combined perfectly. Interchange forward ace Charity Faalogo was a interchange powerhouse who took early ruck ball and whose strength enabled her to win the ruck,
The second rower Peyton used her leg speed and acceleration to quicken her team’s pulse and get the defence back peddling.
Torah Luadaka (Tweed)
She had limited chances from the attacking side of halfway, but she was still able to impact the match via her kicking game.
A 40-20 kick gave possession back to her side which led to hooker Diamond Graham scoring, while a towering bomb led directly to a try for winger Eadee Damro.
In the second half she started to run and was a constant danger.
Avalon Price (Tweed)
She was an outstanding defender who stuck like glue to her rivals on the left edge. It was Price’s strong contact on Charlize Duncan which also led to Tweed’s third try. She was an unsung hero of this match.
Leilani Taofinuu (Tigers)
The positional switch of centre Leilani Taofinuu to left second rower was a master stroke. It gave an extra dimension to the Tigers’ attack, throwing plenty of speed back at Tweed after the middle forward power runs had thundered their side ahead. In the second half she also laid on a try with a run and a miracle pass, and did finish an 80m movement. The kid’s a young gun.
FALCONS v CAPRAS, Harvey 17s
Ace Pollock (Falcons)
Just a true leader that can simply do it all.
Whatever her team needs, Pollock delivers and she does it in style with her unmatched leg drive or fancy flick pass offloads.
Josie Wogand (Capras)
To the surprise of no one, Wogand battled away from siren to siren like she has all season.
The crafty number nine has plenty of footy smarts and was a real backfoot threat for her side against the Falcons on Saturday.
Marley Chan and Aamira Renouf (Falcons)
Fullback Renouf was involved in both first half tries, scoring the first and assisting the second.
Her footwork and pure acceleration continues to be her biggest threat but it was her ball playing presence out the back of shape that shone brightest against the Capras.
Halfback Chan’s ability to float around the field and link up well with her attacking weapons took plenty of pressure off from her teammates.
CUTTERS v FALCONS, Connell Cup
Will Hamblin (Cutters)
A hat trick in a semi-final is a pretty good way to stamp your feet as Hamblin was the Cutters main man against the Falcons.
Two were scoots from dummy half, another came from a leaping contested kick and the crafty attacking weapon almost got a fourth but was dragged back over the line.
Adam McSherry (Cutters)
Just played the match exactly how he and his side needed in their 40-10 win over the Falcons.
McSherry took plenty of pressure off his teammates and gave them an immediate confidence boost when he began calling his shots and executing his plays.
With a try of his own, McSherry allowed his halves partner Grange Womal to shine in the second half.
Ashyr Kelso (Falcons)
The Falcons right side centre has really found his feet in the last few weeks and was a threat once again against the Cutters on Saturday.
Despite the loss, Kelso played a part in both tries, scoring one and assisting the other thanks to some solid footwork.
CLYDESDALES V CUTTERS, Harvey 19s
Eliza Morcom (Clydesdales)
Morcom delivered one of the all time captain’s knocks to propel her side into the big dance next weekend.
A workhorse all game, Morcom made more tackles than anyone and did not make a single mistake with the ball in hand.
She was immense, often making multiple tackles in a row to keep Mackay held in their half. She was still making breaks with less than 10 minutes to go.
Libby Dunn (Clydesdales)
A mighty middle forward, Dunn delivered in spades to ensure a finals berth for her side.
On either side of a well-earned break midway through the match, Dunn was unrelenting with her carries and was an offloading maestro.
Dunn released an offload to Lille Merlow 10 minutes from full time to create the final blow and make it 20-8.
Off the bench, forwards Sophia Wright, Chelsea Middleton and Amelia O’Toole kept the pressure on high.
Angel Austin and Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales)
Left wing Austin and hooker Byrnes weren’t bad themselves. Austin was a sure thing under the highball and was a tough customer to bring down once she wound up.
She was faultless and that was exactly what was required of her.
Byrnes, with interchange rake Sienna Carr also impressive in her stint, was up to her usual scheming tricks and it worked a charm.
The exciting Glennie School livewire scored the opening try and threatened throughout the game with her probing runs.
Caitlin Tanner (Cutters)
Tanner looked the class halfback she is.
A Cowboys contracted young gun, Tanner took matters into her own hands in the 11th minute when she surged through the defensive line and scored a superb try.
As the game went on, Tanner muscled up well in defence and asked plenty of questions with her kicks.
Jennifer Kimber (Cutters)
Kimber was her reliable self, a 60-minute trooper who gave her all until the final whistle.
She was always in support, chasing kicks, mopping up tackles and taking ruck runs in a high-class performance. Under fatigue, her determination did not waver.
TIGERS v TWEED, Harvey U19s
Lishainah Ulugia and Orinna Clark (Tigers)
The Tigers’ forwards leaders laid an early foundation for victory, stamping their authority on the game to stampede their side to an 18-nil advantage.
Ulugia’s performance around the ruck was outstanding, and her go-forward could be matched in the early stages, while Clark’s running game was at times too hot for their rivals to handle.
Namoe Gesa (Tigers)
After the Tigers had pushed out to an 18-nil advantage, the Tweed side found their game to surge back into the game.
During the ebb-and-flow over the next 35 minutes Tigers centre Gesa was excellent in defence when Tweed challenged on the edge, and brave with her back field carries. Tigers winger Aaliyah Frescon-Sheppard was also eye-catching with her powerful carries.
Saskia Croyston and Kaliyah Browning (Tweed)
The middle forwards were responsible for running Tweed back into the match, and their impact led to the Hickling girls’ starting to probe dangerously on the edge of the ruck.
Sienna Smith and Kiara Wright (Tweed)
Both girls were tremendously brave in defence against bigger rivals, and while they were out gunned when they ran, but gave their all on both sides of the ball.
Lorren Ieli (Tigers)
Leading just 18-12 and then 22-12, the Tigers still had to finish well or risk being overrun by Tweed. Interchange forward Leli ensured the standard set by the starting members of the pack never dropped.
Joshalynn Walker (Tweed)
Fullback Walker was the most dangerous back on the field, with her sixth sense landing her in positions where she could threaten the Tigers’ defensive line.
THE MATCHES
Burleigh Bears v Wynnum Manly, Connell Cup
Bears’ centres Kingston Seve and Israel Lotaki were last-gasp heroes as Burleigh surged from an 18-4 deficit with 12 minutes remaining to win 24-20 in extra time.
Seve scored a remarkable 30m solo try after the match had been plunged into extra time by a magnificent penalty goal from the touchline by Wynnum halfback Lachlan Hooker after Lotaki had saved a certain try with a shoulder charge.
It was a final for the ages as Wynnum centre Dean Tauaa put on a master class to score two sensational first half tries, only for Burleigh to seize the momentum late and finish over the top of their rivals.
Burleigh prop Tyrell Schwenke, second rower Simione Tauelangi and lock Tupou Francis were magnificent as the Bears closed in on victory.
Tigers v Tweed, Harvey 17s
The best U17 team in the competition deservedly won through to the grand final after shaking off a gallant Tweed Seagulls today.
While power forwards Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu, Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, Charity Faalogo and Te Ahurei Latu had a huge say in the game, it was the speed at which the Tigers played at which also propelled the side beyond Tweed’s grasp.
Captain Henry-Purcell was magnificent, as was her No.9 Enah Desic.
Halves Charlotte Keki and Tiahna Kanawi were unsung links in the chain as the Tigers turned a 14-4 deficit into a win.
Down 26-14 with 10 minutes remaining, Tweed had one last throw of the dice when five-eight Lacey Pedlow launched a left side attack. But Tigers No.13 Henry-Purcell stormed across to defend her kington, barrelling Taylor Martin-Habib over the sideline as she was preparing to dive for the corner.
An exhausted Tweed defence then could not hold prop Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu on a counter attack, and her long run led to elite edge player Leilani Taofinuu scoring.
Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu then deservedly scored with one minute remaining.
SEAGULLS SHOCK START
After the Tigers scored first, the Seagulls shocked the Tigers with two early tries from close to the line.
One came one from hot potato team play that led to hooker Diamond Graham dummying her way over, and another courtesy of lovely sub defuse from five-eight Lacey Pedlow.
Standing at dummy half, Pedlow dummied to the open side before firing a pass to unmarked winger Eadee Damro to score down the blindside.
Then came Damro’s controversial try off a Luadaka kick before the Tigers forward power game restored sanity.
TIGERS POWER GAME
The Tigers’ power game is like the tide coming in. You can see it coming, but you can’t stop it.
The Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu, Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell and Charity Faalogo forward onslaught ramped things up after Tweed had stolen a 14-4 break, leading to Henry-Purcell’s crucial try next to the posts which got her side back to just a four point deficit.
Then, into the second half prop Latu returned to the fray as the Tigers’ relentless middle forwards paved the way for hooker Desic and her halves to pull the strings.
PASS OF THE GAME
How did Tigers halfback Tiahna Kanawi unload the pass which led to Ebony Tziros scoring?
In heavy traffic, Kanawi refused to die with the ball, wriggling and fighting and eventually freeing her arms to put her winger over with a super ball.
TACKLE OF THE GAME
Affrica-Jade Hippi’s classic lock’s covering tackle on a runaway Ebony Tziros said everything about this young No.13’s endurance, speed and desire. It was a wonderful chase to finish a brilliant sweeping movement that had been started by Tigers Henry-Purcell.
And how Tweed prop Mercedez Lisone Siaea held up Tigers forward Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu in the second half to prevent a try, no one will ever know.
TORAH, TORAH, TORAH
Torah Luadaka’s wondrous kicking game twice led to tries, once in directly from a 40-20 restart, and the other when a towering bomb was unable to be defused at the back by the Tigers.
Chasing the loose ball was second rower Avalon Price who made first contact with Charlize Duncan, loosening her grip and leading to the ball popping backwards for Eadee Damro to ground it over the line.
CAPRAS v FALCONS, Harvey U17s
An undefeated regular season has drawn to a close for the Capras with the Falcons just edging them out in the opening under-17 semi final.
The Central Queensland outfit came into the contest with six straight victories and a positive 106 points differential.
The Falcons lost their opening match of the season before winning their next four straight and had one match abandoned due to poor weather.
WOGAND BLITZ
Despite the Falcons opening the scoring through fullback Aamira Renouf, it was the Capras who were the first half winners thanks to some crafty, smart football around the ruck.
Led by hooker Josie Wogand, her constant running pressure had the Falcons scrambling with continuous six again calls and off-side penalties.
When she got her side into the redzone, the Capras made the Falcons pay as they went into the break with a 12-10 lead.
POLLOCK’S PRESENCE
As they have all season, the Falcons looked to their leaders and it was captain Ace Pollock who got her side firing.
After a quiet first half, the talented second rower came alive in the second half and played a role in both of the Falcons second half tries.
The first was when Pollock didn’t get the ball on the first tackle from a scrum but got it on the second where she drifted across field, palmed off two defenders, before throwing a left arm flick pass to winger Kirra Pamenter who scored in the corner.
Off the next scrum, Pollock got the ball and drew plenty of attention, allowing her half Marley Chan to wrap around, get the ball and throw a nice spiral to Tahlee Donald who sped 40m to score.
The Capras showed great fight in attempting to turn the tide with five minutes to play and a try from Isabelle Jensen did help their chances.
Ultimately they left themself too much to do in little time as the Falcons clung on with a 20-16 victory.
Falcons halfback Marley Chan and fullback Aamira Renouf were also great in their side’s win.
CONNELL CUP, Capras vs Falcons
As expected in the muddy and heavy conditions it was a slow opening half from both sides who also hadn’t played each other this season due to the split pools.
The Falcons speed on the edge was their strength once again off the back of some damaging middle carries from Jett Ryan, Kaio Moses and Makani Madgwick.
They opened the scoring through Ashyr Kelso, who has come alive in the back half of the season, before the Capras controlled all of the ball to score three straight tries.
MCHERRY’S CALMNESS TO BE APPLAUDED
Cutters five-eight Adam McSherry has been a key cog this season and he showed his class once again on Saturday.
The number six really smartly just eased into the game with some simple pass, run and kick plays.
After finding his feet and relaxing the players around him, McSherry took off which began thanks to a handy scoot from dummy half where he out muscled four Falcons defenders to twist and score in the 23rd minute.
HAMBLIN HAT TRICK
Lock Eli Cookson slotted into hooker for the middle part of the match, and did a fine job with a try assist, before number nine Will Hamblin returned to the field and injected a much-needed boost.
After already scoring his side’s opening try, Hamblin’s next four pointer came from a lovely contested catch before beating the cover defence to dive over the line.
His hat trick try was a replica of his first, taking a peak at the defence before throwing a dummy and burrowing his way over the line.
The Falcons showed some fight but a charge down intercept try from halfback Grange Womal followed by a through the legs pass to Lawson Mifsud sealed the 40-10 result.
For the Falcons centre Ashyr Kelso was their best, well supported by Will Joyner who never gave up and captain Jett Ryan.
The multiple halves and spine changes that the Falcons had to endure this season was unfortunately their undoing in the finals.
HARVEY NORMAN U19s, Tigers v Tweed
The Tigers middle forwards gave their side a winning advantage which Tweed could not pull back in an entertaining final at Langlands Park.
The Tigers rumbled out to an 18-nil advantage, only to have Tweed snap back twice later in the first half to reduce the margin to just six points.
The Tigers looked unstoppable early. Lishainah Ulugia had a mighty start to the game, with her middle forward thrusts driving Tweed back and generating momentum for hooker Liliele Vaitolo whose passing off the ground was outstanding.
Porche John had also started the game on fire, and her try - followed not long after by Grace Maxwell - sent the Tigers barging to a 12-nil advantage.
But with a flow of possession Tweed props Browning and Croyston generated some go-forward, and behind them Tweed were able to get an up-tempo game going.
SPOTLIGHT ON VAITOLO
The little No.9 was elite behind her pace, playing an up-tempo game when needed while never forgetting the basics of passing quickly off the ground to her rampaging forwards or halves.
Vaitolo’s eyes up football was rewarded with a sniping try in the first half after her middle forwards had softened up the opposition.
She has been slightly unsung but deserves high praise for her performance in such a big game.
TRIES OF THE GAME
+ Tweed may have been trailing 18-nil, but that did not stop them from connecting together to produce the try of the game.
After props Saskia Croyston and Kaliyah Browning had given the Tigers some of their own medicine, hooker Mackenzie Croyston somehow kept the ball alive, leading to a crisp backs’ ball movement featuring the Hicklings, second rower Kiara Wright and Phoenix-Raine Hippi who crossed. This reduced the deficit to 14 points.
+ Minutes before halftime Tweed halfback Natalia Hickling cleverly kicked to space and was rewarded with a bouncing ball that landed in the arms of teammate Walker who sprint 30m to score under the posts.
+ Tigers forward leader Orianna Clark proved unstoppable just after halftime with a brilliant solo try, running into a game, swatting away the cover defence and plunging over to give her side a 22-12 advantage.
TACKLES OF THE GAME
Somehow Tweed second rower Kiara Wright and Sienna Smith both prevented tries in the first half.
Tigers forward Orianna Clark was crossing to score, but Wright buried her body against the ball and despite feeling the full weight on Clark crash onto her torso, she courageously hung on.
Then later in the first half Smith saved a certain try with an ankle tackle on imposing prop Ulugia who looked certain to cross.
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