Langer Trophy/Walters Cup live stream: Ipswich and Stretton face Caloundra SHS in double header

The Ipswich Langer Trophy juggernaut rolls on as the injection of Saifiti Junior Saifiti and debutant Tom Parker helps puts paid to plucky Caloundra. Relive the action from the LIVE STREAMS.

Ipswich State High School made it five wins on the trot on Wednesday with a compelling 44-6 win over visitors Caloundra State High School at the North Ipswich Reserve.

Caloundra were fierce competition, as they always are, but the injection of Saifiti Junior Saifiti on the left wing, and Langer Trophy debutant Tom Parker at fullback gave Ipswich a spark.

The broad-shouldered Saifiti and Parker, whose sidestep has a sizzle to it, both scored for Ipswich. Parker’s was a beauty, a right foot step followed by an in-and-away motion left Caloundra defenders with no chance.

Can anyone stop the Ipswich juggernaut?

While the visitors’ defence was strong, it was their handling within their own half which caused their downfall.

When in possession, which was rare due to the errors, Caloundra looked sharp. Their best moment came when halfback Toby Irvine put in a crossfield kick for five-eighth Jack Philp, who plucked it out of the air and dived over.

That try had Caloundra within six after Saifiti and left wing Alton Naiyep kicked off the scoring.

But 12-6 was the closest Caloundra would come, with a barnstorming Oliva Iaulualo, a hot-stepping Parker, a dummy-half diving Lesayne Tuiasau, a crash-running Jack Laing, debutant Tarell Indich and prop Maaro David leading Ipswich home with tries.

Caloundra fullback Ellyjah Birve did his school proud, playing a full game in Walters Cup before backing up in the Langer Trophy. Despite playing both games, Birve was full of energy and this could be seen when making a trysaving cover tackle on Ipswich’s LJ Nonu with eight minutes left in the game.

Captain Brad Higgins was a workhorse as well, inspiring his teammates who fought bravely against the reigning champs.

WALTERS CUP

Stretton State College’s successful 2023 campaign continued at the North Ipswich Reserve with a gripping 22-20 victory over a fast-finishing Caloundra State High School.

Caloundra began confidently but three quick tries from the ever-improving Stretton saw the momentum swing entirely in their favour.

Caloundra fought back hard, but Stretton showed plenty of heart to hold them out in the final 20 minutes, despite winger Zayne Hudson giving his team hope with two late tries.

His brilliance down the left corner brought Caloundra back from down 16-6 to within striking distance at 22-20. With an extra minute or two, Caloundra may have stolen it.

Replay: Walters Cup Round 6 - Stretton College v Caloundra SHS

But Stretton deserved the win after responding brilliantly to the first try scored by Caloundra hooker Will Joyner.

Long-striding fullback Emmanuel Artango then got Stretton on the board.

It was second rower Connor Smith who found centre Kayzon Key with a cut-out pass for Stretton’s second, sending them ahead 12-6.

Indeed, the Stretton forwards looked slick. This was highlighted when prop Karsen Leota offloaded in contact to put Bailey Vang over. Stretton were ahead 16-6.

It was only a matter of time before Ellyjah Birve came to the party. He arrived in style, breaking the line and scoring to make it 16-12.

Caloundra needed to score next but Stretton five-eighth Jontaye Brown had different ideas.

His try put Stretton ahead by 10. Caloundra winger Jonty King shone, finishing two left corner tries to claw back, but from the touchline, goalkicker Birve was given the hardest of tasks.

Stretton prevailed.

PREVIEW

Ipswich will fancy their chances of a fifth consecutive win when they welcome Langer Trophy newcomers Caloundra to North Ipswich Reserve on Wednesday.

Since falling 34-16 to Keebra in round one, the reigning champions have looked immense.

The real deal, you could say, and with Tyler Peckham-Harris, Jack Laing, Alton Naiyep and Cayleb Johnson back from last season, Ipswich have a wonderful mix of new and old.

Catch their clash LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV as part of a big week of Queensland Schoolboys action.

The game kicks off at 5pm. You can also catch the Stretton v Caloundra Walters Cup game at 3pm.

See the full LIVE STREAM schedule.

Ipswich trio Iosefa Kolio, LJ Nonu and Xavier Kirkall.

Making their mark in their debut season have been rollicking centres LJ Nonu and Keisaia Su’a, and powerful second rower Shaye Faa’aoga, who has also been a great addition.

Add in a number of Langer Reserves players of 2022 also stepping up to the plate and there should be plenty of title optimism.

The bruising Iosefa Kolio, destructive middle forwards Kane Self and Maaro David, and the powerful Nonu have relished the experience – and the results show they are rising to the challenge tremendously.

And who could forget Xavier Kirk, who had more than a smattering of x-factor in the Langer Reserves competition last year.

Indeed, he has cemented his spot, especially after that heroic two-try effort in last week’s 16-14 thriller over PBC.

Xavier Kirk has been impressive for Ipswich this year.

For Caloundra, Queensland Schoolboys representative Zac Garton will have to be at his best if they are to have any chance while skipper Bradley Higgins will have to deal with David Leota.

It’s been a rough introduction to life in the big leagues for Caloundra, with struggles at both ends of the field.

They have conceded 180 points in their five games so far, although they did show vast improvement last week in letting in just 28 points against Mabel Park.

Their attack has yet to fire as well. They’ve scored just 44 points - and no more than 12 in any one game.