Langer Reserves round 5 Players of the Round

Langer Reserves special: A Marsden SHS prop with a 1970s style of play about him, a Ippy ace and a Gold Coast young gun among the Players of the Round. Story here.

Walters Cup Round 4 Keebra Park V Marsden at Owen Park Southport.Marsdens Ryder Nathan wrapped up by Keebras Jack Hamilton. , Picture Glenn Hampson

Before the heavens opened and was out the Langer Trophy and NRL Schoolgirls matches, there was time enough for Marsden SHS to defeat Wavell SHS 54-6.

LANGER TROPHY LARRIKINS REVEALED

And leading the was front rower Haki Kennedy whose aggression gets him everywhere on the footy field.

An interchange ace during Marsden’s gutsy Walters Cup campaign last season, Kennedy has been promoted to starting prop in the Langer Reserves.

He is a real throwback front rower, the type of prop who would have been welcomed in any era.

Palm Beach Currumbin’s Dylan Watkins shone in the reserves.Picture: Liam Kidston

Kennedy’s effort runs smack of courage, but importantly he also mixes up those barn door breaking charges with alterations in angles and a little footwork.

Kennedy was one of two players who spearheaded the Mako’s successful push for victory yesterday.

MARSDEN SHS 54 defeated WAVELL SHS 6

Haki Kennedy (Marsden SHS)

Starting at prop, he was strong through the middle and extremely hard to handle due to his aggressive carries.

Jeremiah Toko (Marsden SHS)

Toko pulled the trigger on Marsden’s attacking, and left the field the best back on the paddock. He scored two tries and was dangerous throughout.

MABEL PARK SHS 16 DEF IPSWICH SHS 14

Kahu Kitto (Ipswich SHS)

Kitto put on a defensive masterclass at centre and it saved a certain try.

Outside of that moment, when he came across in cover and made a superb on-one-on tackle, Kitto was a strong runner and made no mistakes.

He was top notch on the left hand side of the field, alongside winger Micah Figota.

Micah Figota (Ipswich SHS)

Micah Figota has been one of the finds of the year for Ipswich SHS in the Langer Reserves.

Figota’s reputation in rugby in union is cemented given his selection in the Queensland Schoolboys side and he is also carving out a name for himself as one of the finest hidden gems tucked away in the Reserves.

He relished more ball on Wednesday and he made the most of his chances.

With sheer speed he torched down the left touchline and scored Ipswich’s second try.

Later in the match he ran 40m, drew in Mabel’s fullback and found halfback Clement Karauti on his inside for Ipswich’s second try.

Around those moments of magic, Figota’s dependability under the high ball was a blessing.

Fletcher Ebbsworth-Briggs (Ipswich SHS)

Ipswich defender Fletcher Ebbsworth-Briggs (falling to ground) has been putting his body on the line all season.

The only player as busy as Figota was Ipswich’s right wing, and later in the game fullback, Fletcher Ebbsworth-Briggs.

He was simply outstanding on defence. No passage of play summed it up better than when he took on Cole Winter, who was running at full throttle after making a 40m break.

Ebbsworth-Briggs then got to his feet and made the next tackle before rushing to fullback and barking defensive orders.

He was a man possessed, a workaholic who also worked feverishly with his exit carries.

Fletcher Ebbsworth-Briggs of the Charleville and District Western Ringers back in 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Dante Tahuhu-Wilson (Mabel Park SHS)

A little over a month ago Mabel Park’s fullback had the fanciest feet on the park when the school started its seasons at Langlands Park.

It’s safe to say he hasn’t lost any of his spark in attack.

Sporting bright pink headgear and seemingly getting faster with every stride, Tanuhu-Wilson was at his busy best returning the ball from the back of the field and injecting himself in the Mabel backline.

Pouakai Jackson-Williams and Nehemiah Vavau (Mabel Park SHS)

Mabel Park SHS five-eighth Pouakai Jackson-Williams. Picture: Liam Kidston

It just goes to show the progression of Mabel Park’s program that they have quality halves like Jackson-Williams and Vavau causing a stir in reserves.

Both Kiwi boys and both brilliant when at their best, the No.6 and No.7 combination worked a charm to give Mabel a slight edge in a thrilling contest won 18-14 by Mabel.

Jackson-Williams threw the decisive pop pass, while being wrestled to ground, that created an emphatic Boston Cochran try on the buzzer.

Vavau just had time on his hands and his short passing game complemented his tricky short and long kicking.

Mason Fisher (Mabel Park SHS)

Fisher put it on a platter for his teammates and started the match in style when he kicked a 40-22 to give Mabel field position to score. It was service of dreams.

He made one error forcing a pass but outside of that Fisher was fantastic, not for the first time this season.

Palm Beach’s Dylan Watkins. Picture Glenn Hampson

PBC SHS 32 defeated REDCLIFFE SHS 16

Ned Tanner (PBC SHS)

Playing centre, Tanner finished attacking movements with aplomb, running excellent lines. To cap it off he finished with two tries.

Dermott Arthy (Redcliffe SHS)

Arthy was a go forward player for Redcliffe, hard to handle with his runs while also doing plenty of mopping up work.

Levi Handyside (PBC SHS)

Levi Handyside was strong in defence on the edge of the field, while also making several breaks.

PBC SHS’s Levi Handyside playing club for Tweed Seagulls this season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

James Peni (Redcliffe SHS)

Peni carried the ball strongly for Redcliffe and was always prepared to roll this sleeves up.

Dylan Watkins (PBC SHS)

Watkins had heaps of involvements, and as a result he made lots of metres and breaks. He was a constant threat.

Tully Bastable (Redcliffe SHS)

Bastable’s return from injury was one of the bright points of the away loss. Playing lock or hooker, he has battled back from two significant injuries and was strong in defence while also giving his side an extra option in attack.