Replay: Kirwan SHS takes on The Cathedral College in NRL Schoolgirls Cup semi-final

Kirwan has secured a showdown with southern powerhouse Mabel Park for the state title, after seeing off a spirited TCC in the northern schoolgirls semi-final. Relive the action in our replay.

Kirwan Grizzlies are through to the grand final of the Queensland Schoolgirls Cup, after dismantling The Cathedral College 22-10 in a powerful semi-final display.

But Friday’s last-four clash was soured late on by a serious injury to a TCC player.

Centre Mackayla Oakley was injured in the unfortunate incident five minutes from full time, which put a dampener on what had been a fantastic game from both sides.

Oakley, who had been one of TCC’s best, was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she is set to have scans on her neck. Her parents and other family members are with her in Mackay.

The match was moved to another field to allow the injured player to remain on the ground, while the ambulance was called.

Play eventually resumed after a 25-minute break.

The Cathedral College threw everything it had at the Grizzlies following the stoppage, but was turned away time-and-again as time elapsed.

With the convincing victory, Kirwan booked its ticket to the grand final against Mabel Park SHS.

Fullback Ana Malupo and her Kirwan Grizzlies side are eyeing a spot in the Queensland Schoolgirls Cup grand final. Picture: Supplied.

The title decider will be held at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on August 30.

Kirwan was led around the park by captain Hannah De Daunton, who lined up in the unfamiliar position of five-eighth.

She entered the game with all of seven minutes’ worth of experience in the role, playing for Townsville Blackhawks under-19s.

De Daunton dictated the direction of her team with decisiveness, calling the shots and running the play, revealing she has a surprisingly good kicking game.

The inspirational skipper scored a fantastic try just before half-time, when she grubbered to herself to put Kirwan 12 points ahead.

However, The Cathedral College was not going to die wondering and the school’s renewed energy after the break allowed them to hit back early via centre Mackayla Oakley.

The Cathedral College after defeating Mackay powerhouse St. Patrick's College to win the Confraternity Shield.

The comeback was short lived though and barnstorming Kirwan prop Monique Maniot barged over to restore her team’s two-try advantage.

The Cathedral College won the Confraternity Shield earlier this year when they defeated St Patrick’s College Mackay. But they struggled to break through the brick wall Kirwan defence.

Grizzlies fullback Ana Malupo was the most threatening player from either team and she showed an impressive elusiveness to score a long-range try from dummy half.

Malupo weaved past four defenders to break into the backfield, where she was almost caught by TCC fullback Zoe Robson but managed to skip out of her attempted tackle.

MATCH PREVIEW

The Kirwan Grizzlies will look to the experience gained from a bonding trip to Magnetic Island with State of Origin star China Polata when they play The Cathedral College on Friday in the semi-final of the Queensland Schoolgirls Cup.

The Grizzlies made it all the way to the decider last year where they fell to southern powerhouse Marsden SHS 36-16, but this year they are determined to hoist the Cup.

Watch the Queensland Schoolgirls Cup semi-final game LIVE and exclusive on KommunityTV from 10am on Friday.

Kirwan have undertaken a number of team bonding and exhibition game trips in 2023, but coach Hannah Norford said the team’s time on Magnetic Island opened their eyes to the possibilities on offer in women’s rugby league.

“We’ve got the likes of China Polata, who is part of the Cowboys NRLW team, she’s a teacher’s aide at our school so she’s a great resource for the program,” Norford said.

“She was one of the players who came over to Magnetic Island with us. She shared her experience in State of Origin and her entire career, so the girls could see how rugby league has changed her over the last few years and how it’s an exciting space in terms of pathways.

“A lot of the girls have represented the Blackhawks and want to continue representing Townsville next year as well.

“We’ve had one girl selected for Queensland, Ana Malupo, and she’ll be at fullback – she’s definitely leading the girls in the right direction.”

The Cathedral College coach Scott Peters is sure the defensive resolve of his outfit could again decide the result, just as it did in the team’s historic Confraternity Shield win in June.

That victory ended a 30-year drought for TCC, whose boys teams had forged a strong reputation in the competition without ever claiming the coveted Shield.

Caitlin Tanner (left) will be key for The Cathedral College.

The Cathedral College coach Scott Peters with injured player Harmonie Fauid, who broke her leg in the team's Confraternity Shield grand final win.

Peters is looking forward to the match-up against Kirwan, and the prospect of his team going further in the schoolgirls competition.

He said he did not know a lot about the opposition but his players just needed to focus on their roles and doing them well.

“We know they (Kirwan) will have some big forwards and they will try to bust us through the middle so we’ve just got to weather the storm and keep turning those big girls around and tire them out and then hopefully run around them,” he said.

“Defence wins games and we have got a pretty good defensive side.

“The girls will be a little bit nervous come Friday morning but I think they’re pretty confident.”

TCC will be without their star lock Harmonie Fauid, who was a major contributor to their Confraternity success but suffered a broken leg in the grand final.

Peters said he was incredibly proud of the character his team showed to rally and get the win after Fauid’s injury.

He expected that to be on show again on Friday.

“I think the best thing is the way they gel together as a side, the way they play together as a team,” he said.

Peters said halfback Caitlin Tanner would be vital to TCC’s chances, describing her as an “all-round naturally talented player”.

He said tough as nails young gun Chloe Powell would switch from lock to hooker, fullback Zoe Robson’s speed and agility would be pivotal to the team’s attack and Lindsey Major Booth would bring plenty of energy off the bench.

Peters said the prospect of winning through to the Queensland final against Mabel Park on August 30 was providing plenty of inspiration.

“The girls have got plenty to play for,” he said.

“I think if we turn up, do our thing, play our game and defend really well on Friday, we’ll walk away with it.”

TEAM LISTS

The Cathedral College:

Zoe Robson, Lacee Chapman, Miah Powell, Mackayla Oakley, Cira Wilson, Lille Merlow, Caitlin Tanner, Adele Shaw, Nhi’Arla Faiumu Malone, Shayla Powell, Armani Gretton, Aimee Coombe, Chloe Powell, Cadence Lee, Lindsey Major Booth, Chloe Larson, Dekodah Hughes.

Kirwan State High School:

Anaseini Malupo, Reijeili Day, Teyanna Mataa, Zaleah Mosby-Nona, Siena Tabacchi, Hannah De Daunton, Lara Parter, Lhylla Williamson, Vanessa Scarborough, Maryanne Tutuvake, Isabella Au, Sari Ericson, Kesa-Lee Savuro, Marayah Tapau-Taylor, Jahntae Mara, Kiarah Mara, Monique Maniot.