National Schoolgirls Cup Rd 1: Keebra Park v St James; Mabel Park v Ipswich

Who led the way in round 1 of the National Schoolgirls Cup? We reveal 15 top notch players, along with why St James’ future is nothing but bright despite loss to Keebra Park SHS.

Jessica Ivey carries the ball for St James before being swamped by Keebra Park SHS defenders, including Chelsea Coleman - Photo Steve Pohlner

Keebra Park SHS and Mabel Park SHS drew first blood in round one of the National Schoolgirls Cup, while St James’ pioneer players held their heads high despite defeat.

In a replay of last year’s grand final, Mabel Park’s Danielle-Elizabeth Tutakangahua scored two tries in the second half to take her side marginally ahead of Ipswich in a first round thriller.

HERE’S 40 PLAYERS TO WATCH FROM THE COMPETITION

And at Totally Workwear Stadium, Langlands Park, Keebra Park SHS made a start to its campaign by beating new chums St James 36-nil.

The NRL National Schoolgirls Cup is a new competition which provides an additional pathway toward the NRLW for Queensland schoolgirls. It is supported by the Gold Coast Titans.

Keebra Park’s Chelsea Coleman is tackled. Photo Steve Pohlner

It was an historic first match in the competition for St James and a milestone moment for the school’s fledgling girls’ program.

Despite being 150 years old, St James has only been co-educational since 1996 and the girls’ league program is new.

“As soon as we walked on the field yesterday, we had a win,’’ said St James’ coach Andrew Ebrington.

“History will look back at this group who played the first game,’’ he praised.

Keebra Park SHS prepare to score against St James - Photo Steve Pohlner

Ebrington said he’d rather his school being playing in the top tier competition and be challenged than not challenged. “They are setting a legacy for girls to follow at St James,’’ he said.

He said the rugby league program was already gaining momentum and generating interest in the community, and with several excellent junior prospects like prop Eve Talima, outside back Tylah Orcher and utility Ngatalia Harris already in the system, the future was bright.

St James played Keebra Park SHS in the National Schoolgirls Cup - Photo Steve Pohlner

And and said the community was delighted to see an old boy, Elijah Keung, progress into the Queensland schoolboys side this season after he reactivated his love for the game playing at St James in 2022-23.

Keebra Park SHS’s Daniel Schwass said his team’s defence was outstanding and the group were pleased to keep the opposition to nil despite first round rust when the side dropped a lot of ball.

St James community supporters at the match against Keebra Park SHS. Photo Steve Pohlner

Three times St James made it to the brink of scoring, only to be denied.

We had first game jitters but showed resilience in defending our line. They did well to defend their line and keep them to nil off the back of our errors.

The Keebra Park SHS team from round 1.

“It will be a tough competition but we are looking forward to the challenge of playing Mabel Park, Ipswich and Marsden as well.’’

Keebra Park SHS on the charge against St James - Photo Steve Pohlner

He said St James were a physical side and would be better for the experience having had a limited 13-a-side preparation for the competition.

“St James Physical for the majority of the game and will get better with more games,’’ Schwass said.

St James v Keebra Park SHS in the Schoolgirl Cup - Photo Steve Pohlner

PLAYERS OF ROUND 1

Zali Bettridge and Torah Luadaka (Keebra Park SHS)

Keebra Park SHS were in good hands with these two halves steering the ship. They both impressed by taking the line on.

Keebra Park’s Torah Luadaka kicking for goal. - Photo Steve Pohlner

Kina Vainga (St James)

Vainga found the bullseyes in defence, shortening up a few opponents with well-timed tackles. She played in the second row.

Action from the St James v Keebra Park National Schoolgirls Cup - Photo Steve Pohlner

Mercedez Lisone-Siaea and Eta Sikahele (Keebra Park SHS)

Mercedez Lisone-Siaea earned promotion from the Karyn Murphy Cup squad and made every post a winner playing in the front row. Fellow front rower Eta Sikahele also laid a platform for her side.

Try time for Keebra Park SHS against St James - Photo Steve Pohlner

Jess Ivey (St James)

Ivey entered the match with a reputation for being a strong defender, and she enhanced that reputation with a strong performance from No.13.

So close to scoring - St James is again stopped by the Keebra Park SHS defence - Photo Steve Pohlner

Skylah Samson (Keebra Park SHS)

This slick fullback made an instant impact with her quick feet and raw speed. She is a great enhancement to the squad.

Action from the Keebra Park SHS v St James game - Photo Steve Pohlner

Memphis Tanielu (St James)

Tanielu produced a typically strong performance in the middle of the field where she showed her teammates to have no fear.

Alice Shannon (Mabel Park SHS)

Queensland’s most damaging ballrunning prop brought her A game to the North Ipswich Reserve and led a clinical Mabel Park SHS to their first scalp of the season.

Shannon, The representative Year 12 student who last year made the Australian Schoolgirls as a Year 11, was a force through the middle of the field, bumping off defenders and thrusting the visitors forward into striking territory.

St James gave a good account of themselves - Photo Steve Pohlner

Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)

With names like Alice Shannon and Shalom Sauaso playing you’d think it was a representative clash.

It had the feel of a finals game with future stars butting horns and Shalom Sauaso, the Broncos signed 17-year-old phenom, fought hard to the very end to overcome Mabel.

Sauaso’s kicking game was threatening, running game damaging and overall leadership under trying times impressive, as you would expect from someone who made the Wallaroos squad as a 16-year-old.

The match was played in good spirit between Keebra Park and St James - Photo Steve Pohlner

Danielle Tutakangahau (Mabel Park SHS)

Halfback hero Danielle Tutakangahau threw on her cape and had a spledid captain’s knock, scoring two timely second half tries which put acreage between the sides.

Tutakangahau, who was mistake free all game, scored nearly ideniticle tries, straightening up and zig zagging over to slam the ball down emphatically.

Mabel went from 4-0 up to 12-0 up after Tutakangahau struck to seal the gane.

Harlem Walker and Amaani Misa (Mabel Park SHS)

Mabel’s entire team deserves a mention here after they weathered the storm of playing with a player down for 10 minutes in the first half, keeping Ipswich scoreless before running away with the game in the second half.

Trojan worker Harlem Walker, the right edge warrior and her playmaking five-eighth Amaani Misa were superb both in attack and containing Ipswich’s attacking threats.

Ipswich SHS winger Emily Jackwitz.

Emily Jackwitz (Ipswich SHS)

On a night where Mabel Park’s left edge attack was singing, right winger Emily Jackwitz showed she was up for the defensive task with a top notch display.

On one occasion she made a tremendous cover tackle to prevent a try and around the ground she worked hard rucking the ball up.

Alice Shannon of Mabel Park SHS playing for the Brisbane Tigers this year.