Struddy’s Cup schoolboy grand finals coverage, all 3 finals
Live Struddy’s Cup schoolboy league grand final coverage; How it all unfolded including a golden point thriller; best players from the Year 7, 8 and 9 premiership deciders.
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Enjoy our coverage of the three Struddy’s Cup youth grand finals, including best players from the deciders held at the famous Davies Park.
In the Year 7s, Forest Lake SHS had a win of a gritty Alex Hills who played their grand final last week.
Then Stretton State College won a thriller over Mountain Creek SHS in Year 8s, while in Year 9s Mountain Creek SHS and Alexandra Hills SHS played out a gruelling golden point decider.
PHIL HALL CUP GRAND FINAL REPLAY HERE
WALTERS CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
Forest Lake SHS v Alexandra Hills SHS, Year 7
Forest Lake SHS fullback Jay Musgrave hit the bulls-eye with two fabulous solo tries to help fire their side to the premiership over Alexandra Hills.
A Forest Lake SHS blitz cracked open the Year 7 final early, with the winners racings to a 14-nil advantage, and then an opportunist try from Forest Lake half Yusir Yahia just after halftime made it 24-4 and Forest Lake’s final.
Earlier on rampaging prop Jahvontay Naea delivered and behind him halves Yahia and Jacob Sandon threatened with their dancing feet and handling, helping their side to three early tries.
Sandon scored himself, centre Faitele Collins got around his opponents to score and then fullback Jay Musgrave turned it on with a blazing 60m individual try.
Alex Hills, having had the fumbles early, then struck back when No.13 Oscar Donovan crossed to inject confidence into his side.
But Forest Lake fullback Musgrave restored his team’s 14-point lead with another striking individual effort to score out wide, making it 18-4.
While Musgrave did well in a side controlling possession better, Alexandra Hills SHS fullback Jermain Fisher also showed promise for his side.
Alexandra Hills had to be first to score after the break but a frustrating penalty denied them attacking ball and in that set of six Yahia scored his spectacular second half try.
Alex Hills second half dummy half Tylah Fels did liven his side up and once dived over, but was deemed to have lost the ball.
Alex Hills No.13 Oscar Donovan also tried hard to inspire his side.
TOP PLAYERS
Deejay Lang Siu (Forest Lake SHS)
Siu could be seen making brutal contact and chopping his defenders around the legs while his hair whooshed in the wind.
Made one tackle so big he was penalised.
Yusir Yahia (Forest Lake SHS)
The Forest Lake halfback was a classy customer who began the game strong and finished it even stronger.
He set up a couple tries and scored a screamer which was he was deserving of following a mighty kick chase.
Jacob Sandon (Forest Lake SHS)
Sandon (five-eighth) was Robin to Yahia’s Batman.
A tallish halve, Sandon had a strong sense of direction and how to attack.
With his and Yahia’s hands on the trigger, Forest Lake looked dangerous.
He also took on the line like a centre.
Jay Musgrave (Forest Lake SHS)
Musgrave is the kind of hot-stepper who can dodge the water spurting out of the shower head that’s how quick his footwork is.
A fullback, Musgrave used his magical in-and-away trademark to score not one but two tries in the first half.
Tripp Broadhurst (Alexandra Hills)
If they gave out medals for effort this tall second rower would be first in line, still catching his breath from the mountain of tackles he made.
Jermain Fisher (Alexandra Hills)
Despite it being Forest Lake’s day, fullback Fisher still had enough ball to show glimpses of his natural talent.
Wearing bright yellow boots and colourful headgear, Fisher stood out on both sides of the ball.
Kyden Williams (Alexandra Hills)
The illusive headgear wearing centre was a crowd favourite and rightfully so – he can create something out of nothing.
Tylah Fels and Oscar Donovan (Forest Lake)
These two boys not once shirked contact and that said everything about their team’s effort.
Player of the Year
Forest Lake SHS lock Rhys Bailey was awarded the Player of the Year honours after the win.
Year 8, Stretton State College v Mountain Creek SHS
A sensational try from Stretton State College centre Declan Tak and then a second by his teammate Kye Hill broke a grand final thriller wide open against Mountain Creek SHS this afternoon.
Stretton College won a thiller 20-10, with a magnificent barging try by Mountain Creek SHS’s Kayden Earl closing the gap to just six points.
His powerful, leg driving run against the odds brought the game to life three minutes from the end.
Then Stretton SC’s No.6 Leo Hunt scored a brilliant grubber try and that match was over, 20-10.
Earlier, Stretton SC’s centre Tak scorched 50m for a wonderful solo try after his fullback Kanyon Turner had offered him quick ball under pressure.
Away Tak went, blasting up the left hand sideline before crossing despite gallant covering defence.
It was a moment the Tak family will not forget in a hurry. That try made it 10-4 with 13 minutes remaining.
Then halfback Hill stretched out on a premiership winning 75m run not long after and it was 16-6 late in the clash.
Mountain Creek almost scored in between, when bulldozing prop Marcus McFarlene went so close to scoring.
But from that turnover Stretton scored the winner, with halfback Hill racing 75m to score under the posts. It was 16-4.
Grand final day went up a gear in this decider, with a gruelling tug-of-war across both halves barely separating the teams.
Stretton State College scored first and defended its 6-nil lead into the secnod half before a runaway try from Mountain Creek SHS winger Eli Steele carting the Sunshine Coast closer to their rivals, 4-6.
Stretton State College looked to have extended its lead when a bullocking run fromi No.13 Levi Langman gave his dummy half quick play-the-ball options, but the referee ruled no try.
STRONG PERFORMERS
Jaiden Cuff (Stretton SC)
The metre-eating prop began the game with a crucial try saver and left everything on the field to get his side over the finish line.
Saxon Parsons (Mountain Creek SHS)
Parsons was tireless with his defence out of dummyhalf and if ever he was deserving of McDonalds on the way home it was today.
Kye Hill (Stretton SC)
You know those players that just have time? That’s the story for this classy Stretton halfback who has a touch of class about him.
Cleveland Mackay (Mountain Creek SHS)
Mackay was all heart and he stood tall against Hill and his partner in crime Leo Hunt (five-eighth) who was also impressive.
Declan Tak (Stretton SC)
It was impossible to leave the Stretton SC centre out after he struck away for the try of the day.
With the game in the balance, Tak tore down the left touchline and finished a superb solo try in contact.
Year 9, Mountain Creek SHS v Alexandra Hills SHS
A magnificent golden point thriller unfolded before Nathan Phelps claimed the winner for Alexandra Hills SHS with a field goal.
Seconds into the extra time period five-eight Phelps kicked the winner. It was a sweet moment for Phelps who lost last season’s Year 8 grand final with Alexandra Hills.
It was a battle of wills as Alexandra Hills SHS drew level 6-all, seven minutes from fulltime after winger Jack McKenzie crossed and halfback Kai Thomas kicked the sideline conversion.
What a final.
Alex Hills closed the gap late and then, instead of opting for a field goal attempt, ran the ball but were defended by their rivals.
Then Mountain Creek hooker Rileigh Ruming kicked a 40-20, but Alex defended that set of six.
The Year 9 was gruelling, drag’em out, knock ‘em down final, with both heavy legged sides slogging out it.
It was not pretty, and there were mistakes, which it was tough and physical as both sides wrestled for authority.
The difference in the first half was a soft try by Mountain Creek SHS No.13 Leo Michaels, which was ironic given the intensity in both defensive lines for most of the match.
From a tap restart Michaels’ took the ruck and scored - as simple as that, but that was to be the only score for a long time.
Mountain Creek SHS almost scored a secnod time in the first half, but Alex Hills centre Hayden Hardy produced a dramatic try saving tackle on Mountain Creek’s Marlon Best.
TOP PLAYERS
Kai Thomas (Alexandra Hills)
This kid has nerves of steel. Down 6-4 with a conversion 15 metres in from the right touchline, he did his routine and slotted it like no one was watching.
It ensured Alex Hills had another chance in overtime.
Nathan Phelps (Alexandra Hills)
The Alex Hills five-eighth was exhaustive, working overtime with his direct running.
Like champion swimmer Michael Phelps, this kid went and went and went and kept going. You questioned whether he was ever getting tired.
And when the moment arose to slot a field goal in overtime, he delivered with a beauty straight over the black dot.
Sire Drinnan (Alexandra Hills)
The tireless dummy-half came to life in the final 10 minutes when it mattered most, tackling one rival after another to allow his side to maintain the territory they worked so hard for.
It was all worth it in the end.
Leo Michaels (Mountain Creek SHS)
The Player of the Year had a strong showing with his mighty right boot giving his side the edge in crunch time.
However, the Mountain Creek boys, who defended the house down late in the game, were not able to convert a heroic 40/20 kick of his into points.
Draxon Boon (Mountain Creek SHS)
Wore his heart on his sleeve and despite the loss, the second rower should hold his head high for his efforts.
THE PREVIEW, Players to Watch
Year 7, Forest Lake SHS v Alexandra Hills SHS
Forest Lake SHS
Rhys Bailey: A lock forward, Bailey has a high work rate in both attack and defence. He will be composed on the big stage and will be dangerous with his ability to unload in tackles.
Jayrhan Musgrave: Playing fullback, Musgrave has been one of the discovery players of the season, having only started playing rugby league recently after previous enjoying soccer. He is fast, a top try scorer with two hat-tricks and a double try effort this season.
Alexandra Hills SHS
Ihaia Tipene: Watch for this dynamic dummy half. Tipene is becoming a real leader of the team in his first year at the school. What an asset.
Kyden Williams: A elusive centre, half or fullback, the versatile Williams has a left and right foot step while also having vision for the line.
Max and Jordan Pocock: Here’s a dynamic duo that will keep Forest Lake SHS busy. The backrow brothers feature strong carries and brilliant tackle technique.
Year 8, Mountain Creek SHS v Stretton State College
Stretton State College
Jaiden Cuff: This front rower has a high work rate, is a strong ball runner and leads the team by his actions. Just perfect for grand final day.
Levi Langman: The lock forward will feature strong running of the ball. With a background in Muay Thai, he is as fit as a fiddle and aggressive in defence and attack
Mountain Creek SHS
Cash Bennett: The No. 13 is a tough and competitive player with natural instincts on how to get the better of his opposition. His core strength and ability to jig and jag is very similar to that of Cameron Munster. Never stops trying to find a way to win.
Kaiden Jennings: Jennings can play anywhere from fullback to the back row. He is a powerful player who intimidates his opponents with strong carries and even stronger defence.
He won the player of the year in last year’s school competition and has a dominate mark on every game he’s played this year.
Marcus McFarlane: The front rower has been in tremendous form in the run to the grand final, scoring seven tries in three games. McFarlane can bust through any line and never takes a backwards step. He has the ability to change the momentum of an attacking set.
Makani Madgwick: Strong, fast and agile as an edge player, he has been one of Mountain Creek’s best players this season, creating something from nothing using his strong palm and quick feet.
Year 9, Mountain Creek SHS v Alexandra Hills SHS
Mountain Creek SHS
Jonah Stephens: A big Strong hard running front rower who is relatively new to the game. Stephens only started playing club rugby league this year, but has already earned a position in the Sunshine Coast Falcons U15s RISE squad.
Leo Michaels: An extremely talented ball playing lock forward, Michaels has put himself on the radar of several NRL clubs earning a place in the Broncos, Dolphins and Storm development squads.
Braxon Boon: While he can cover most positions, Boon has found a home in the second row. He processes good pace and ability to use his feet at the line- making him a threat to edge defenders.
Alexandra Hills SHS
Ted Black: Converted from Prop to Fullback for the final series, Black has strong in defence and is elusive when he carries going forward. He is also very comfortable under the high ball.
Kya Elkington: A ball handling lock, the No. 13 will be a middle field pivot of the engine room.
Nathan Phelps: A captain who will play wherever is needed for the team, Phelps has strong carries and defence. Phelps iced a conversion attempt in the semi-final to push his side into the decider.
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