Meninga Cup, Connell Challenge and Harvey 19 latest
Meninga Cup, Connell Challenge and Harvey 19s round 3 latest. Tweed girls sensational while unsung juniors Dustin Appo (Redcliffe), Fui Fui Taito (Tweed) and Zak Jenkin shine (Capras) impress.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three little known juniors shone like beacons for their respective Connell Challenge teams as round 3 action rocked and rolled around the state today.
Redcliffe fullback Dustin Appo, Tweed Seagulls interchange forward Fui Fui Taito and Capras No.1 Zakkaree Jenkyn emphasised to the rest of the competition that you don’t have to have a resume a mile long to get by and succeed in the elite under 16 junior competition.
More on them in a moment.
SONS - AND DAUGHTERS - OF SPORTING GUNS
After Redcliffe’s 24-10 win over Tweed opened the round, Northern Pride led well before losing 20-14 after Blackhawk’s Jack Miller scored the winning try in the 58th minute.
In other Connell games, the Western Clydesdales also enjoyed a 24-16 win over Ipswich, the Capras beat Cutters 28-nil, Burleigh Bears had a home win over the Brisbane Tigers, 24-12 and Souths Logan blasted to a 38-12 win over Wynnum-Manly.
And in the Meninga Cup, Cutters hooker Xavier Kerrisk was a three try hero, while Redcliffe has an early win over Tweed, 34-10, with the Dolphins finding the tryline on six occasions courtesy of Mitchell Rogers, Adrian Sandy, Prestyn Laine-Sietu, Larry Siala, Zac Garton and John Fineanganofo.
In Townsville the Blackhawks, with the relatively unsung Wyatt Lourigan prominent, defended their way to victory over a big Northern Pride pack in Meninga action.
Ipswich Jets also put their skates on to win 48-20 against Western Clydesdales. More below.
In Sunday’s late Connell clash on Sunday, the Falcons clinched a 34-26 win over the Wide Bay Bulls, while in the Meninga encounter the Falcons beat the Bulls 58-20, with fullback Finn Lawson sniping off the tee at a 90% clip.
The Harvey 19s clash saw the Falcons make it three-from three over the Bulls with a 64-6 win.
At Marsden SHS, Wynnum-Manly toppled Souths Logan in the final five to come away 30-26 victors.
And in Harvey 19s, Tweed Seagulls were sensational in their win over Redcliffe. More on that game, and all the others, below.
At Piggabeen Sports Complex, Redcliffe kicked off the round with a 24-10 win over Tweed in Connell Challenge action.
Dolphins centre Jake Carsburg and Seagulls edge forward Benjamin Quinlan were the best two players in the match, with Carsburg’s defence and effort finding the footy shining for the winners.
Quinlan, the Tweed captain, also played a grand hand alongside his halves Reef McKay and Caleb Cresswell, with Quinlan adjusting to life on the edge after being moved from No.13 by coach Neil Richards.
“It was a real captain’s knock,’’ noted Richards, who said Quinlan’s cutting defence and communication with halves McKay and Cresswell were highlights.
RELATED LINKS
ROOSTERS SIGN SCHOOLBOY; ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK
But there were two unsung players in both teams - Dolphins No.1 Dustin Appo and Tweed interchange forward Fui Fui TAito.
Both boys emphasised what this competition is all about - effort.
Although Appo was good enough to make the final Connell squad, everyone knew he would be playing behind Queensland 15s No.1 Mereki Warradoo.
But Warradoo has been injured to start the season, and Appo has stepped up to the plate to play largely error free football.
Taito has come from left field. Indeed he was only called into the Tweed side on Friday night and asked to play middle - a position the talented winger has never played.
However, Taito played half a game, tackling himself to a standstill.
Dolphins coach Chris Little said there was a lack of discipline shown by his side in today’s game.
He was not sure if it was due to the kids still getting used to being on the road - the Dolphins were on the bus at 6am bound for the Coast - but there was a lack of energy in his talented side.
“They just had to grind it out. They did enough to get the win. It was one of those games where nothing much went to plan but we did play some good footy in patches.
‘’Sometimes it is okay just to win when it is not pretty.’’
Richards said his team’s improvement from game No.1 was significant.
“We were poor across the park last week but what I liked about today is they stuck to the structures and communicated well and the effort was a massive improvement - energy, effort, intensity. Everything was improvement as individuals and as a team.’’
He said after improving the edge defence, more improvement was needed in the middle defence.
In Townsville, the Northern Pride charged to a commanding lead with the first three tries of the game before the Blackhawks rallied to score two tries in the last five minutes to claim a six point win in the Connell Challenge.
Jack Miller and Cooper Fletcher crossed late after Pitason Benioni (twice) and Cayde Miller sent Pride charging to an unexpected 14-4 halftime lead.
“Cairns (Northern Pride) came to play,’’ said Blackhawks coach Nathan Norford in praise of the opposition.
Norford said while he was pleased with the team’s commitment to “stay in the grind’’, he wants to see them build more pressure next week and stay connected between the edges and the core middle.
Norford gave his interchange forward Dane Ramson a tick for his driving defence and runs when injected into the game.
Pride coach John Buttigieg said he was delighted with the effort and energy. “The boys really turned up, they stepped up,’’ said the coach.
But he wanted to see better completing next week and more composure. “I just felt we got a bit excited and didn’t complete in the second half,’’ he said.
Jack Daniels, Jason Hastie and halfback Chase Sheppard were excellent for Pride.
In Rockhampton, Capras had a 28-nil shut out win over the Cutters, with coach Duane Carpenter delighted to said the side build pressure and sustain pressure after blowing a big lead in the first game.
“It was really good to see the boys sustain and build pressure,’’ he said.
Carpenter said it was impossible to single players out this week, but
But he said his No.13 Jake Oberhardt was tremendous in the middle along with centre Jake Murphy
He also had high praise for fullback Zakkaree Jenkyn who was making his debut while Phillip Yock stole a fabulous intercept try.
In the Connell Challenge Ipswich v Clydesdales clash, it was a four try apiece thriller but the goal kicking of Braithen Scott (four goals) proved the difference in the 24-16 result.
Clydesdales coach Ned Murphy said his side just competed hard.
“We just stayed in it. They were a big side and we stayed competing and never went away from the plan of holding the ball.
It was close. There was nothing in it. But we just competed and held it (the ball) for as long as possible.’’
Again roving fullback Scott shone with three try assists, while Shaun Elara did a great job in the middle.
On the Gold Coast, Burleigh Bears had a Connell Challenge win after starting well against the Brisbane Tigers running into the breeze.
Seth Gundry and David Bryenton scored within the first seven minutes before the Tigers struck back courtesy of Montgomery Betham and Dominic Ierome.
“We got some early points running into a stiff breeze and boys grew with confidence in the second half with the wind behind them,’’ said coach Ryan Gundry.
Although he wanted to see better ball control, he admired his team’s “willingness to stay in the grind, get down and get dirty’’.
Hooker Jax Damro was fabulous around the ruck, fullback Seth Gundry showed some class touches while No.13 Zac Murphy bounced back from the previous week.
Brisbane Tigers coach Lote Tuqiri said his side let themselves down with mistakes against opponents who completed better and therefore had more ball.
“Losing our fullback Saia Poese early didn’t help,’’ Tuqiri said.
“Again Elijah Breen was our most dangerous players in attack and Monte Betham was a metre eater on the left edge. He went forward well for us when we managed to string some possession together.’’
At Marsden SHS, a first half hammering by the Souths Logan Magpies ignited their first win of the Cyril Connell Challenge.
After starting strong and finishing even stronger, the home side came away 38-12 victors over the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.
South’s coach Scott Bannan couldn’t contain his excitement after the win.
“We had a couple key boys coming back in. Emmanuel Asomua our front rower and No.6 Adaquix Luke. We knew the boys would click. Just like the first round of the NRL season, we are going to get better every week.
“Having fun on the bench with the boys was great today. I’ll go home a happy coach” he said.
“Levi-James Bannan played well at the half. He put 100 per cent in. He levelled their front rower and got the ball back. He scored two as well,” Bannan said about his hardworking son who had an impressive showing.
He also thought fullback Tom Parker was magical.
“Tom Parker is so smooth. I see these kids that are signed and I wonder why no one has got him.
“He is the complete package, smooth, always catching it on the full. Not to mention he’s an incredible kid.”
He scored two tries and converted five-from-seven.
“Just to see the fun they were having. I’m wrapped,” Bannan said.
“The bench wins you the competition and today our bench was everything. The unsung hero.
“Fatumalosi Netu and Natututasina Leota, who is usually a half but is a big body, had great contact and got a great strip. Quentin Teuila even jumped into lock.
“I have 28 players and I’m playing them all. Every kid deserves to play,” Bannan said praising the efforts of his side.
“The boys are starting to get on a roll. That win was brilliant. Hopefully more to come.”
Seagulls coach Ben Weston said the boys didn’t start well but they did a great job to get back into the contest. “We turned it over once we started to come back and that got us.
“Chaev Kolone was outstanding. He played the full 60 and was going as hard in the 60th as he was in the first.
“We had injuries so I’m pleased with the boys efforts in the middle playing big minutes.
“We had nine 15-year-olds playing today so we are a very young side.”
Of that contingent is gun fullback Tawa-Dean Simpkins.
Weston said he likes how persistent he is. “Aggressive carries and strong on defence. He offers a lot of strike out wide for us.”
“We have to work on our ball control. We turned it over at key stages and they made us pay.”
Things went up a gear at Marsden SHS when the Meninga Cup clash kicked off between the Magpies and Seagulls.
The quality was through the roof, with both sides displaying some serious talent in their ranks.
Not only were both sides beaming with excitement machines, namely Wynnum’s Coby Black and the Magpies Alex Leapai and Israel Leota among countless others, but the defensive efforts were simply out of this world.
The intensity, bone rattling hits, slick ball movement and ruck work was not unlike what we saw in the opening round of the NRL season.
It’s safe to say these kids are next up.
In this tussle, Wynnum-Manly escaped only just, with a late try by Zane Ford capturing a 30-26 win.
Hooker Cam Bukowski put him through a hole in close and boy was it a clutch pop pass. They were down 26-24 and their chances of coming back looked slim. But, you can’t count any team out in this competition. They are all capable of pulling a miracle out the bag.
That was the case, after the sea-sawing affair made a case for Game of the Year.
Lock Arthur Folau and reserve rake Dylan Gallagher exchanged tries with Wynnum’s winger Saxon Innes to deadlock the scores at 12 apiece come half time.
After the break, centre Jaycob Kingston-Francis dazzled for a four-pointer. But, Broncos boom teen Israel Letoa stole the show moments later with a spectacular high flying catch-and-try.
The towering Leota came to play, showing why his brilliant vertical leap is fancied at Red Hill.
Back and forth it went, with centre Kylem Vunipola striking for Wynnum and fullback Ryan Mccann and winger Xavier Atoa crossing for the Magpies, giving them a two-point advantage with 10 to play.
In barrelled Ford with a ferocious charge towards the line, sending the Wynnum supporters home with a smile on their face.
Souths head coach Ben Trim said he was super proud of his boys despite the result.
“They dug in. We thought we could take them in the middle and we dominated that. It was tough we lost a centre early, then my replacement centre got sent off. Then my third centre came off injured. It made it hard but I am so proud of the boys. It was an outstanding effort.
“ We may not have won but I am really happy with the improvement. Wynnum are the benchmark so I was proud.
“Our middle forwards shone. Alex Leapai, Mosese Manu were really great. Really aggressive in defence, allowing the backs to play some footy...laying that platform.
“Our left side half Cairo Rangihuna-Ruri got his first start and set up some good tries. He was good.
“It was good to see Israel Leota hit his straps. We set him that target to shine out so I was happy with him.”
Leota had stitches at half time that by the end came out.
Trim made note it was the best game he has ever been involved in at the Meninga Cup level.
In the Meninga Cup, Redcliffe’s 34-10 under 18s win over Tweed saw a six try effort courtesy of Mitchell Rogers, Adrian Sandy, Prestyn Laine-Sietu, Larry Siala, Zac Garton and John Fineanganofo.
Redcliffe coach Scott Tronc said given it was an early bus trip in the middle of a busy term 1 of school, the team did well to win.
“But we need to be consistent at what we do. That is the thing. And keep working in getter better.
“For parts of the games we worked with each other and that is what helped get us through the game.’’
Tweed coach Sam Meskell said his team needed to work on its ball control.
Prop Isaish Scanlan, centre Barney Litudamu and Will Saunders did best for the Seagulls.
In Townsville, the Blackhawks’ Meninga Cup side overcame a Northern Pride recovery to win 32-8, scoring six tries.
Blackhawks jumped out of the barrier to lead well, but successive tries to Pride pair Tesharne Kapigeno and Davidson Benioni cut the margin.
Blackhawks coach Zeb Kyle said his side defended its way to victory against a team featuring a big, bruising forward pack.
“Our defence was really goodm’’ he said.
“We had repeat set after repeat set, and I thought we handled it against the Pride which is a really big pack. We were physical.’’
While he would like to see the side hold its shape more with good attacking ball, he was pleased with the performance that was spearheaded by two-try winger Rayzarlin Pearson, playmaker Xavier Hellyer and middle forwards Jamal Shibasaki, Wyatt Lourigan and Tavita Penaia Te’o.
Kyle also said 17-year-old Marley Helion, playing against his old club, impacted the game off the bench.
Lourigan arrived in Townsville from the Ipswich Connell Challenge system and handled starting in his first Meninga match well.
Pride coach Kris O’Farrell said while the effort was evident, the side continued to be their own worst enemy.
“We gave up three tries in the first off our mistakes and you just can’t do that against the Blackhawks,’’ he said.
“But our contact was better this afternoon, although that needs to continue to improve.’’
In Ipswich, the Jets were 28 point winners over Clydesdales after the Darling Downs boys hit the track full of running.
The Clydesdales side leapt to a 14-nil advantage, but Ipswich did not panic, kept things simple and let natural momentum aid their comeback.
“We had to work hard to get back into the grind of the game, but we stayed patient and showed faith in the structure we had,’’ said Ipswich coach Shane Harris.
He said next week he wanted to see more impact with first contact in defence.
Alton Naiyep was a four try hero for Ipswich, while Cayleb Johnson played the entire match.
Clydesdales coach Paul Boase said his side started so well with fluent attack. “I would like to improve our online speed in defence and first up contact,’’ he said.
Prop Bodie Sharpley was best for the Darling Downs outfit.
On the Coast, Burleigh scored eight tries, including a double to centre Sam Stephenson, in a 44-20 win over the Tigers, while up north ace Cutters hooker Xavier Kerrisk scored three tries in a local derby win over Capras, 36-24.
Cutters went soaring away early with tries to Balin Burnett, Rory Woodall and Balin Burnett before Capras levelled up, with Diezel Brunker scoring twice.
But Kerrisk went bang-bang-bang to score and with Kai Simon kicking goals, Mackey edged away on the scoreboard.
Despite the win, Mackay coach Kim Williams wanted more resilience in defence. “We conceded tries too easily today,’’ he said.
“I thought our attack was good and we stuck to our game plan. When we were able to build pressure we scored points,’’ Williams said, praising hooker Kerrisk and outside back Simon.
Capras coach RJ Stewart said his team paid the price for only playing well in patches.
“That cost us in the end,’’ he said.
“We weren’t willing to build pressure and some easy tries from dummy half by Mackay cost us which is not what we are about.’’
Stewart said Mutua Brown, Seizel Brunker and Zac Bryce were best for his side.
Brisbane Tigers had a dream start against Burleigh when Kevin Blessington scored seconds into the game, but Bears scored six tries straight to lead 28-4 at halftime.
Bears coach Chris McCormack said it was a courageous performance by his side which was shuffled around after the loss of a winger, fullback and a middle forward.
“So we had people out of position all over the place. But they just did what they were told, playing out of position. That was great for team culture,’’ said a delighted McCormack.
Centre Sam Stephenson was again a giant for the Bears, while halfback Bailey McConnell successfully moved No.7 to fullback when injury struck.
Tigers coach Michael Lambert said his team’s second half performance was the only positive.
“When we actually got into an arm wrestle we competed but when we lost momentum we couldn’t stop it,’’ Lambert said.
He praised debutant Max Sprag and said Blessington was also a bright spark.
The Harvey Norman 19s started with Tweed Seagulls beating Redcliffe 28-4, with a fabulous first half tussle turning in a season best win for Tweed.
Savannah Roberts-Hickling scored three tries in the home team’s win, latching on to passes provided by her skilled teammates.
Tweed coach Anthony Swain said his team clicked across the match and backed their passing skills.
“It was good to watch. We just had to bring it out of the bag,’’ he added.
“It just clicked. We were good last week for 25 minutes but failed to get into the grind of rugby league and pushed the pass a bit.
“But everyone did their role today.’’
It was almost impossible to single Tweed players out, but aside from the finishing of winger Roberts-Hickling and the defence of centre Ava Swain, middle forward Jaida Faleono was strong.
Redcliffe coach Jason Goulding told his players to hold their heads up because they were beaten by a very good side.
But he was frustrated his side strayed from the game plan. “They have to stick with plan A instead of coming up with your own plan.
“The first half was a fantastic game but the Gulls stuck at it longer than what we did.’’
He said back rower Reegan Hicks was a mighty defender and workhorse, while middle forwards Lenniece Wright, Eden Utatao and Armarni Lee did well, with Lee at prop today.
In other matches Mackay beat 22-8 over Capras, Blackhawks defeated Pride 38-nil, Jets overcame Clydesdales 20-12 and a late Sienna Norris try (Burleigh Bears) dragged her side to victory over the Tigers. More on that match coming.
Cutters centre Ana Malupo lit up the match with three tries in the first half, helping her side to victory.
“Our forwards laid a really good platform and our discipline was better. We stuck to out process for 60 minutes,’’ said Cutters coach Rob Hall.
Capras coach Walson Carlos said his team were better this week.. “I thought we followed game plan better than last week but did not execute it against a big team.’’
He said Miah Powell and Lindsay Major-Booth were best for CQ.
Pride coach Flori King-Smith said against a big, experienced Blackhawks side, simple errors cost her team.
“We tried hard and some players tried to fix it on their own. Again we have work to do, keep working hard to ensure we stay in games,’’ she said.
Matt Sanders said on a hot day, Chelsea McLeod was the Players’ Player and Libby Surha the Coaches selection as best players for the winners.
“Our effort in defence was high,’’ Sanders said. “It was a hot day but the girls just kept turning up and defending for each other.’’
Following the Clydesdales v Ipswich clash, Jets Harvey 19s coach Veronica White said were her middle forwards were extremely strong, having backed up from schoolgirl trials just days earlier.
“They were able to sustain a fast Toowoomba, especially in the second half,’’ she said.
“Prop Lina Tanielu scored a double in the opening 10 minutes and followed it up with some strong defence, alongside second rowers Tanisha Tryhorn and Dmarius Setu.’’
Representative centre Relna Hosea also stopped a number of tries with strong goal line defence after a strong threat from Toowoomba’s Malone.
Clydesdales coach Russell Jones said his team just didn’t stick to the game plan against a big Jets side in the first half and despite regrouping at halftime, and scoring two tries, they could not bridge the gap.
He said he had a young side, with 13 schoolgirls backing up from a match on Thursday, and it was all great experience.
Jones said Lucy Davis out wide, Charlotte and Eliza Morcom and captain MacKenzie Zeller did well, along with Libby Dunn.
Reds fall short against rivals in U16,U19 rugby thrillers
The future of Queensland-New South Wales rugby rivalries is in good hands judging off Sunday’s skirmish at Norths in the Super Rugby Under-16s and Under-19s competition. All you need to know here.
Day 3: 800m feast at the Qld School Sport Track and Field State Championships
Day 3: The 800m athletes ran themselves to a standstill on another action packed day at the Queensland School Sport Track and Field State Championships. Story here.