Langer Trophy quarter final live stream: Catch four huge schoolboy rugby league finals today

Upsets, near misses, comebacks and a bit of class ... the Langer Trophy quarter finals certainly didn’t disappoint. See who is through to the final four. Relive all the action from a big day.

PBC SHS pressed the emergency escape button to beat Keebra Park SHS on the buzzer, 14-12.

Wnger Creedance Donovan dived full length to score two minutes from fulltime to somehow claim victory.

This was after Keebra Park SHS edge forward Jett Bryce produced the play of the game to roll a trybound Jac Finigan onto his back, over the line and prevent PBC SHS taking the lead 20 minutes from fulltime.

David Leota from Ipswich SHS in their game against St Mary’s (Image/Josh Woning)

The Broncos’ signed Bryce flew like a winger to deny Finigan after PBC SHS hooker Will Saunders had ripped a hole in the opponent’s ruck.

But it was to no avail as PBC SHS surged late to somehow claim victory after a wide, left side shift ended on the outer touchline, giving Donovan half a chance, that he took.

There was no better player on the field than Bryce, who echoed the improved intensity of Keebra Park, but PBC SHS just has such a remarkable winning culture in these big games.

Bryce also inspired Keebra Park into the halftime sheds leading 12-10, with his burst laying a platform for his hooker, Isaiah Fagalilo, to plunge over from dummy half.

This was just a few minutes after PBC SHS hit the front for the first time eight minutes before halftime.

PBC produced a classical backs ball play from the scrum, which gave Queensland schoolboys centre Sam Stephenson room to get his long legs pumping. HIs try, and Zane Harrison’s conversion, made it 10-6.

Wavell SHS celebrating their win over Mabel Park SHS at Manly West in the Allan Langer Cup, Brisbane 9th August 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

Keebra Park SHS started the better across the first 10 minutes, with a try for Fagalilo a reward for an upbeat, no-nonsense opening featuring power running and ruck speed.

PBC then settled into the match, and when five-eight Bailey McConnell threaded through a grubber kick for a try, it was like watching Tom Weaver and Josh Lynn (PBC past champions) reincarnated.

CLASSY IPSWICH SINK IMPRESSIVE ST MARY’S

- Nick Tucker

An unanswered 24-point run in the second half sent Ipswich State High School into a semi final match-up with Wavell next week.

Down 18-12 at the break, Ipswich rallied for a 36-18 win over a spirited St Mary’s College, Toowoomba.

Reserve hooker Sam Martin was a ball of energy when he came on and played a huge part in the comeback after Ipswich were shocked by a fierce Mary’s outfit early.

Martin ran the ball fearlessly and set up tries doing so.

Replay: Langer Trophy Quarter finals - Ipswich v St Marys

Junior Saifiti continued to show his strong form on the wing with a double to go along with some powerful hit ups out of his team’s half.

Bodhi Sharpley (second rower), Braithen Scott (halfback) and Sam Sheppard (wing) were instrumental in the St Mary’s attack, which tallied three tries despite a size disadvantage.

The Toowoomba boys ran in three unanswered tries after Ipswich found an early 12-0 lead courtesy of an Alton Naiyep double on the left wing, and an LJ Nonu-assisted Junior Saifiti try on the right.

Shaun Elara from St Mary’s in their game against Ipswich SHS in the Langer Cup, Brisbane 9th August 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

St Mary’s did a wonderful job rucking the ball upfield and making the most of their chances.

Halfback Scott assisted on their first, which was scored by Sheppard, and also nailed all three conversions to make the most of their strong first-half showing.

Centre Judd Rei found winger Patrick Sanderson for try No.2 before a Scott chip kick, and the Sheppard grubber kick that followed, was snapped up by Lachlan Thompson.

It was a lucky bounce that sat up for Thompson but the vision to see space in behind by Scott deserved a four-pointer.

Dominique Sandow from Ipswich SHS in their game against St Mary’s in the Langer Cup, Brisbane 9th August 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

But then Ipswich found their groove and scored one try after another.

Centre Keisaia Su’a, Nonu, Saifiti, fullback Dom Sandow and lock Jack Laing crossed, with Laing’s an absolute beauty.

It was an Izaiah Mafi grubber kick that was scooped up and planted in the blink of an eye.

WAVELL PULL OFF STUNNING UPSET

- Nick Tucker

Wavell State High broke the hearts of Mabel Park SHS as a hot potato play 12 minutes before fulltime help punch their semifinals ticket.

The try by second rower Naz Taua, sparked by Jai Camilleri and with involvements from Mereki Warradoo and Keyarn Pene, extended their lead to eight at 22-14.

Wavell SHS celebrating their win over Mabel Park SHS at Manly West in the Allan Langer Cup, Brisbane 9th August 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

A response came in the form of a Jackson Howe penalty, putting Mabel within striking distance down 22-16.

Mabel then looked in for all money when Lehi Thomas made a scintillating line break down the left edge.

Replay: Langer Trophy Quarter finals - Mabel Park v Wavell

Lauloto Salei brought him down just shy of the line with a screamer, and then Zac Herdegen produced trysaving brilliance of his own on the left wing to prevent a clinical left to right swing by Mabel from finishing in a score.

These two tackles were season-savers, and moments later, man mountain Kobi Floro, dealt the final blow to deliver the 10-point victory.

Mabel had been the better team all season long, and played the footy that got them this far.

Lachlan Buchbach and Cooper Day were men possessed on defence - but Wavell saved their best for last and, in the end, did enough to sneak their way through.

Mabel hit the scoreboard first through second rower Chaev Kolone and they looked the more threatening side early.

A wobbly high kick from Zac Herdegan, which bounced into Lauloto Salei’s hands, swung things in Wavell’s favour.

Wavell SHS celebrating their win over Mabel Park SHS at Manly West in the Allan Langer Cup, Brisbane 9th August 2023. (Image/Josh Woning)

Salei scored off that kick, and quickly fullback Mereki Warradoo was their next tryscorer after a 45-metre burst from Naz Taua.

Wavell led 12-6 but a deft kick from Howe, and the speedy chase of winger Jacob Landers, redcued the margin to four.

Wavell hit back and it was Warradoo again, who, for the second time, was the beneficiary of a quick Taua play the ball before scoring out of dummy half.

In set number one of the second half, Mabel Park reduced the margin to 18-14 but they were playing catch up and just couldn’t reel in their rivals.

BOLD CALOUNDRA SHOWING NOT ENOUGH TO STOP MARSDEN

- Andrew Dawson

Marsden SHS pushed just that little bit closer toward grand final day by accounting for a Caloundra SHS side that went down swinging.

After a shock start which saw Caloundra score first after winning the opening exchanges, Marsden SHS did enough to halt their opponents push for an upset by turning a 16-4 halftime lead into a 32-10 success.

But Caloundra would not go away, with their forward battleship, Zac Garton, reducing the margin to just 20-10 17 minutes from fulltime.

Replay: Langer Trophy Quarter finals - Marsden v Caloundra

It took a little bit of dazzle from Marsden halfback Coby Black to put rookie forward Mace Andrew over 10 minutes from fulltime to put the result to bed.

Then second rower Cairo Ruri plunged over late for Marsden, scoring his second try.

“I am super proud of their effort and the resilience they keep showing,’’ said Caloundra SHS coach Toby Poole. “It does not matter what has happened in the game, they have not gone away.’’

Caloundra started strongly, with a try from hooker Teina Moate fuelling their early match enthusiasm.

But with Marsden prop Sione Siula showing the way forward, the ball play of halves Javon Andrews and Black created left side tries for Ruri and Saxon Innes respectively.

Innes had so much work to do after Black had attacked a wide blind, but his speed and footwork was exceptional.

Caloundra were desperate and eager and did their school community proud.

Young five-eight Ellyjah Briv emphasised his team’s desire by saving two certain tries, and disrupting another close to the line raid.

Caloundra certainly gave a good account of themselves.

Brive also gave hope of coming from behind with a dancing individual run, off the back of which Garton scored.

A wrecking ball run from Caloundra prop Brad Higgins then drove Caloundra into attack and for a second an upset loomed.

Garton had steam coming out of his engine, such was his effort.

But Marsden had too much class behind their forwards.

Caloundra had to be first to score after the break to stay in touch, but it was Marsden which extended its lead to 20-6 when five-eight Andrews placed a cross kick into the arms of winger Lui Lee.

PREVIEW

‘No Tomorrow’. Palm Beach Currumbin SHS coach Tim Maccan summed up today’s four sudden-death finals perfectly as the Langer Trophy season reaches a flashpoint.

Entering the knockout finals at Kougari Oval, Marsden SHS has pole position, followed by giant-killers Mabel Park SHS, ever-present PBC SHS and last year’s champions Ipswich SHS.

Keebra Park, Wavell, Caloundra and St Mary’s Toowooomba, who qualified after Marymount forfeited their playoff game, will provide stiff opposition.

You can catch all four games LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 10am.

See the full draw below of a big week of Queensland Schoolboys action.

Mabel Park quartet Lachlan Buchbach, Ryan McCann, Ocean Tavita and Jackson Howe.

Storylines abound.

You have Marsden SHS, minor premiers for two of the last three seasons, aiming for a historic state grand final victory and Mabel Park SHS supporters enjoying a Cinderella story.

There’s a tasty local derby between PBC SHS and Keebra Park SHS, just two weeks after the schools produced a classic encounter at Burleigh Bears JRLFC.

Both Keebra Park SHS and Wavell SHS were slumbering giants capable of reaching grand final day.

Ipswich SHS watched most of its 2022 championship side walk out the school gates last November, yet the school has still come up with a group to challenge hard.

Then you have St Mary’s College, Toowoomba, returning to the fold, and Caloundra SHS players riding a quest of a wave into the finals after winning a historic first-ever match last Wednesday.

Read on for a full preview of Wednesday’s action.

Both Keebra Park and Wavell go into their matches as underdogs.

THE MATCHES

Marsden SHS v Caloundra SHS

Top-billing Marsden SHS may have been minor premiers for two of the last three seasons, but they will have the ‘utmost respect’ for 2023 newcomers Caloundra SHS.

“We have the utmost respect for the Caloundra community,’’ said Marsden SHS coach Matt Hartigan.

“They have shown so much character during extremely difficult circumstances. We see it as a great honour to kick off the final series against them.’’

Entering the match, Marsden SHS have players in very good form - Lewis Symonds, Saxon Innes, Will Semu, Cory Pearse and Lui Lee among them.

The Marsden SHS Langer Trophy squad.

The other side of the fence

Caloundra SHS has made strides during their debut season and claimed its first-ever win in the competition last weekend.

Spearheaded by Zac Garton, Chase Paterson and co, they will have nothing to lose against Marsden.

Coach Toby Poole said he was most proud of ‘the way the entire squad, all members, have binded together through a tough year after losing Ben Hunter,’.

“The group has been extremely emotional, but seeing the way they have all supported each other, looked after one another, is like nothing else I have seen,” he said.

“They truly are an amazing group of wonderful young people. Their desire to get better and continue to compete.

“The group continually want to get better and work extremely hard at training to ensure they are giving themselves the best chance possible to improve on game day.’’

Teams: Marsden SHS: 1. Kylem Vunipola, 2. Saxon Innes, 3. Mark Nosa, 4. Will Semu, 5, Lui Lee, 6. Javon Andrews, 7. Coby Black, 8. Sione Siulua, 14. Cory Pearse, 10. Patrick Kailahi, 11. Cairo Ruri, 12. Braden Teuila, 13. Lewis Symonds, 14. Jacob Tinsley, 15. Izayah Petricevich, 16. Tyron Fanueli, 17. Dylan Gallagher, 18, Jury Taewa, 19. Xavier Atoa, 20, Mace Andrews, 21. Adaquix Luke.

Caloundra: Team from: Jack Philp, Boedy White, Malakye Blow, Jaelym Hohaia, Kaden Humphris, Toby Irvine, Tully McLennan, Chase Paterson, Teina Maoate, Brad Higgins, Tyrell Hopkins, Zac Garton, Austin Maxwell-Smith, Ellyjah Brive, Brandyn Marks, Lachie Asi, Darcel Snowden.

The 2023 Mabel Park SHS side.

Mabel Park SHS v Wavell SHS

The self belief of Mabel Park SHS players has been fortified by winning a big game last week against Keebra Park SHS, without their forward battleship Alex Leapai.

Why can’t the dream go on and on, particularly with halves Jackson Howe and Lachlan Buchbach steering the wheel behind a hard working forward back, and wingers who scurry hard coming out of trouble.

The other side of the fence

Wavell has not gone as well as pundits predicted, but no school would have volunteered to play them on Wednesday. Why?

Because they have outstanding players from No.1 to No.17, and all rival coaches know that.

And the Jay Camilleri-Harrison Hill one-two punch from dummy half is as good as any in the competition.

Wavell SHS take to the field this season.

“I can definitely see the progression in the group since the holidays,’’ said Wavell SHS coach Paul Stanley.

“We are improving every week. Whether we have improved enough to compete with the top teams in the competition, I guess we will find out on Wednesday.

“Mabel Park have been one of the benchmark teams all season, so we will need to be out our best to compete with them.’’

Teams: Mabel Park SHS (TBC): 1. Ryan McCann, 2.Jacob Landers 3. Lehi Thomas, 4. Jaycob Kingston-Francis, 5. Elijah Tagiilima, 6. Lachlan Buchbach, 7.Jackson Howe, 15 Orlando Levi 9. Jordan Kake, 10. NeziahPatuua,, 11. Cooper Day, 12. Chaev Kolone, 13. Braxton Wilson-Clune, 14. Xyon Purcell, 14. 16. Benji Quinlan, 17. Tayvius Peo, 18 Ocean Tavita, 19. Tyrese Tovao, 20. Jahrel Conlon, 21. Motootua Kia.

Wavell SHS: 1 Mereki Warradoo, 2 Riley Jenkins, 3 Robertson Tusi-Tofu, 4 Keyarn Pene, 5 Carlos Ka, 6 George Taualai, 7 Zac Herdegen, 8 Joey Filipe, 9 Jai Camilleri, 10 Beau Lucien, 11 Naz Taua, 12 Lauloto Salei, 13 Peter Ben Uini, 14 Kobi Floro, 15 Christian Taula, 16 Jayden Butt, 17 Harrison Hill, 18 Mason Phillips, 19 Keoki Koraba, 20 Lucas Miller.

Can Ipswich bounce back from last week’s defeat?.

Ipswich SHS v St Mary’s College

Ipswich SHS remain in the competition up to their eyebrows despite last week’s 30-12 loss to Marsden SHS.

They can make it to the grand final, don’t worry about that, and will be warm favourites to progress.

Asked what he had been most proud of this season, coach Joshua Bretherton said: “The boys have done a great job under high expecations from 2022.

“The key to this has been a focus on ourselves and constantly trying to improve, we just want to get better at one thing each week. Langer Trophy is such a difficult competition, you have to be so focused each week because every opponent is difficult. This has kept as all very busy.’’

The other side of the fence

St Mary’s College, the old school of the great Johnathan Thurston, returns to the Langer Trophy fold after claiming the second tier Gee Cup.

The forwards Shaun Elara, Brodie Hilt, Pat Muir, Jett Day, Bodhi Sharpley and Harry Eyers will have a crack, halfback Brathen Scott is an elite halfback the they have Darling Downs rep players throughout the backline. Watch for Sam Sheppard’s pace if he gets a chance.

They will not be at Kougari Oval to make up the numbers, will they?

Teams: Ipswich SHS - 1. Dominique Sandow, 2. Saifiti Junior Saifiti, 3. LJ Nonu, 4. Keisaia Su’A, 5. Anton Naiyep, 6. Brandon Tikinau, 7. Izaiah Mafi, 10. David Leota, 9. Tyler Peckham-Harris, 13. Jack Laing, 11. Shaye Faa’aoga, 12. Tarell Indich, 15. Lesayne Tuiasau, 14. Sam Martin, 16. Maaro David, 17. Cayleb Johnson, 19. Cooper Cracknell.

St Mary’s: 1. Tait Cameron, 2. Pat Sanderson, 3. Judd Rei, 4. Tom Fry, 5. Sam Sheppard, 6.

Lachlan McGrath, 7. Braithen Scott, 8. Shaun Elara, 9. Brodie Hilt, 10. Pat Muir, 11. Jett Day, 12. Bodhi Sharpley, 13. Harry Eyers, 14. Lachlan Thompson, 15. Matt Schultz, 16. Tarrant Whittingham, 17. Hugh Howard

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS v Keebra Park SHS

PBC SHS have the best little man brigade in the competition - Zane Harrison, Bailey McConnell and Will Saunders - and they were the difference when these teams met in a local derby two weeks ago.

“The team has definitely been building as the season progressed and our spine (1, 6, 7, 9) have been great at executing our game plans over the past few weeks,’’ Maccan said in reference to Harrison, McConnell, Saunders and fullback Jake Lateo.

Keebra coach Peter Norman and Jett Bryce, PBC captain Zane Harrison and coach Tim Maccan.

“We need another strong performance against Keebra Park to really cement ourselves as a genuine threat to the competition.

“The boys know it’s ‘knock out footy’ from here on in. There is no tomorrow.’’

The other side of the fence

Can Keebra Park SHS, with their talent-laden backline and south coast representative forward pack, swing around its local derby loss from 10 days ago?

Of course they can, and they are a better side than their last three outings have displayed.

But PBC SHS will take some beating.

Teams: Keebra Park 1. Mason Barber

2. Jeremiah Havea, 3. Benji Strutt, 4. Xavier Tauaifaiga, 5. Zyroam Herlihy, 6. Jesse Soric, 7. Ryder Williams, 8. Zac Kumbamong, 9. Isaiah Fagalilo, 10. Taylor Withington, 11. Jett Bryce ©, 12. Presley Folau, 13. Dorian Lotaki, 14. Jack Hudson, 15. Jack Schmidt, 16. Ryan Hutchison, 17. Austin Marsters, 18. Tom Summer

PBC: 1 Jake Lateo, 2 Sunny Kama, 3 Tyson Ploegsma, 4 Barney Litidamu, 5 Creedence Donovan, 6 Bailey McConnell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Brady Turner, 9 Will Saunders, 10 Jett Jackson, 11 Baylen Donald, 12 Sam Stephenson, 13 Jaylen Taewa. 14 Isaac Harrison, 15 Cameron Bevan, 16 Jace Williams, 17 Hiawe King, 18 Ethan Schultz, 19 Jac Finigan, 20 Ray Puru.