Queensland Reds under 16s outside back Treyvon Pritchard among young guns who flexed their muscles in bumper day of rugby at Sunnybank Rugby Club
The Queensland Reds under 15s, 16s and 19s impressed at Sunnybank Rugby Club today as the state’s ultra-promising next generation of rugby talent took it to the Melbourne Rebels. How it unfolded here.
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A bumper day of rugby at Sunnybank Rugby Club concluded on Saturday with an emphatic victory by the New South Wales Waratahs Under 15s side, who finished in fine fashion to defeat the Reds 31-14.
SUPER TEN REDS YOUNG GUNS SO FAR
The scores were level at 14 apiece at the break and after weathering the storm of having two players in the sin bin, the ‘Tahs, back to 15 men, hit sixth gear to run away with it.
This brought up consecutive victories over their under 15s rivals but the winner was rugby on the day – with a high quality match full of big hits and stunning tries putting on an enthralling show in front of a healthy crowd.
Towering Waratahs lock Lucas Broderick was awarded man of the match honours as the New South Welshmen made it two-from-two, taking out the inaugural Rugby Australia Trophy.
The ‘Tahs back three of Talen Risati, Jarryd King and Cyrus Bloomfield were strong performers, keeping the pressure on the Reds with their kicking games, as well as their kick returns which ensured they were always threatening the Reds tryline.
Winger Darcy Feltham scored a scintillating 60m solo try to put the icing on the cake in a game where the Queenslanders were in it right until the end.
Powerful ball-carrier Rhymen Tusi, inside centre Harper Enasio, destructive No. 8 Agapetos Lote Felo, backrowers Jack Calleja, Lane Edmonds and prop Gavin Wilson-Tyers were tireless in defeat.
U16S
The Queensland Reds Under 16s regained their confidence in a try-scoring fest at Sunnybank, defeating the Rebels 64-28 under scorching hot conditions.
Gray O’Neill scored a double, Nudgee hooker Liam Robinson was a wrecking ball off the bench, kiwi-born Treyvon Pritchard a thrill-a-minute performer and halfback Jack Brown brilliant in the 36-point-win.
The result came at the perfect time after the Reds were bested fair and square at the hands of the Waratahs last week in Sydney, and it was ultra-impressive the way the Queenslanders managed to keep scoring while they had both halfback Will Graham and sniping fly half Damon Humphrys in the bin for deliberate knockdowns.
BBC’s 16 Years 100m GPS champion Clay Andrews stayed hot after a victory at QSAC on Friday with a strong performance on the right wing where he scored a try and set up another to Brown.
The Reds face the Brumbies next week in a must win unofficial semi-final in order to make the grand final.
DAMON DOPPLEGANGER
Padua College Year 10 student Damon Humphrys gained his first start of the tournament in the absence of Finn Mackay and he was superb.
In the first half Humphrys slotted six-from-six off the tea, with sideline conversions no problem for the headgeared youngster.
Outside of his pinpoint goalkicking, Humphrys also had a highlight when he booted a 22m dropout 60m downfield, which earned possession back for Reds after the Rebels kicked the ball out on the full.
His kick restarts were also stellar, with Max Romer, Clay Andrews and then Jack Brown combining to score a cracking team try on the back of a knuckle ball kick off from Humphrys.
Mackay’s doppelganger, simply because of how effective his kicking was, also knew when to spread ball, or take the line on himself.
BROWNIE POINTS FOR BROWN
Reds halfback Jack Brown also made his first start of the tournament, and he was instrumental in his team’s free flowing style of footy.
It did not surprise to see Toowoomba Grammar School next to his name because the game he produced resembled the footy the boys from up the range are known for.
He made winning plays, showcasing the type of upbeat, quick-thinking backyard rugby which had TGS challenge the GPS premiership this year and Brown was a maestro doing so on Saturday.
His passing was crisp, and support play so good that he was in just the right position to regain and plant down a deft grubber kick dabbed into the in-goal area by Clay Andrews.
O’NEILL HAS A KNACK
The BBC blindside flanker has been excellent so far in the tournament and his four tries are the proof.
The second leading tryscorer in the competition, O’Neill has been everywhere making an impact with his lineout engineering, pick-and-drives and offloading to his electric backs.
He scored a double on Saturday, after a double in the Reds first game against the Force and has improved with every game.
MIDAS TOUCH ON PRITCHARD
In thirty-five minutes of football, electric outside back Treyvon Pritchard produced what most would dream of.
Entering the game in the second half for his first minutes of the tournament, Pritchard immediately put Sunnybank spectators on notice with his blistering speed, stepping and strength when pilfering the ball.
From New Zealand and of Ghanaian heritage, Pritchard comes from an athletic family. His brother Kadin was a St Peters Lutheran College young gun who is signed with the Brumbies, and his sister Aiyana is an elite track runner. But Treyvon’s potential is scary.
Now at Churchie and playing at Brothers, Treyvon is a scintillating performer who can pull off just about anything.
He scored a jaw-dropping 60m solo try on his first touch, then continued to influence the game at the breakdown in a promising showing for the Reds Academy talent.
The Reds Under 19s followed suit with a gritty 45-8 victory over the Rebels, scoring six tries to their rivals’ one in a comprehensive display.
The Rebels lone try came on full time, finally breaking open the Queenslanders dam wall.
Like in the Under 16s, it was a must-win for the boys in maroon and they withstood initial pressure from the Rebels to strike first through Australian Schoolboy Macarius Pereira.
The home side then unloaded with tries to Will Rogers, Frankie Goldsbrough, Joe Doljanin, Joe Liddy, Oliver Barrett and Denzil Perkins helping claim an important victory.
Next week they face perhaps their biggest test in the Brumbies who upset the ‘Tahs in round 1 of the tournament.
WORKRATE ON ROGERS
Nudgee old boy and Norths colts 1 hooker Will Rogers was a man possessed on defence.
He played 75 minutes, and, in that time, he was throwing his body in front of ball runners, scrummaging hard and throwing the ball straight into the lineout.
He worked overtime in 27-degree heat which felt even hotter and his work rate allowed for an entertaining, up-tempo game.
MCCULLOCH MADNESS
This guy just keeps on getting better and better and for Queensland rugby fans, it is time to get excited.
He is gaining confidence, setting up tries from fullback, steaming onto the ball which is creating overlaps and sweeping from sideline to sideline in the blink of an eye.
He is entertainment plus and finished with two try assists on Saturday.
GOOD ONE IN GOLDSBROUGH
Reds centre Frankie Goldsbrough is clearly reaping the benefits of a full season of school rugby and Super Rugby under 19s after another promising showing in the No. 13 jersey.
A Broncos under 17s young gun who the Reds signed earlier in the year, Goldsbrough has improved both his kicking and spiral passing out of sight this season – two skills a necessity to succeed in the modern era.
In Saturday’s game, Goldsbrough’s kicking for touch was elite and his left-to-right spiral passing impressive with a cut-out pass of his putting over a rampaging Joe Doljanin.
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