Live stream: Langer Trophy mid-season report card ahead of run home to finals
After the holidays and ASSRL commitments, the Langer Trophy resumes this week for the run home to the finals. Ahead of the big games, check out how everything stands and who are the players to watch.
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The Langer Trophy finals’ race resumes on Thursday with four excellent round 5 matches.
Catch all the Walters Cup and Langer Trophy matches this week LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV.
Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule for Queensland below.
Here is our mid season report card on the Langer teams ahead of round 5 action.
IPSWICH SHS
Who they play: Keebra Park (home), Marsden SHS (away), Caloundra SHS (away).
Ipswich SHS were humming along on the back of the best defensive record in the competition (49) and the most potent attack (104 points).
Ipswich SHS’s middle forward rotation has been working a treat, spearheaded by captain Xzavier Timoteo and Queensland prop Kanaan Magele.
Another middle forward, Mafiou Cherif, who had been out injured, will be back fit to also complement Jabiri Mack nicely upfront off the interchange bench.
Reeco Kirk has been a dark horse performer this season at five-eight in a side which is defending well, responding to pressure and controlling possession.
Ipswich have a potent attack, including a nice switch play when hooker Sam Martin turns the ball back on the inside to Timoteo or one of his other forwards.
Xavier Kirk will give Ipswich SHS plenty of strike and fire power in the second half of the season.
KEEBRA PARK SHS
Who they play: Ipswich SHS (away), Mabel Park SHS (home), Palm Beach Currumbin SHS (home).
Keebra Park was the real deal. Given the individual success of past players, every year Keebra players wearing the sky blue jersey carry huge expectations around on their shoulders.
But this group seems to be handling those expectations.
No-nonsense props Isopo Ta’unuu and Zac Kumbamong and steady captain Anton Whaiapu lead the way.
Throw in flashes of enterprise from fullback Mason Barber and power running from centre Joseph Tupuse, and Keebra have a nice balance.
MABEL PARK SHS
Who they play: Redcliffe SHS (home), Keebra Park SHS (away), Marsden SHS (home).
It has been an extremely positive season for the Mabel Park SHS squad so far.
Coach Ben Weston said in a desperately close competition, he had been most pleased to win tight matches.
Prop Chaev Kolone and Ezra Leota have been excellent for Mabel, with Kolone’s front row combination alongside of Elijah Keung among the best in the competition.
Bottom age Year 11 Tawa Simpkins has been exciting at fullback while his fellow year 11 student, Dean Tauaa, has not looked out of place in the senior league competition with his fearless runs.
Flying under the radar is the leadership and composure of Jackson Howe who has been first class - and he is also an outstanding attacking and clearing kicker.
Mabel Park SHSalso has got plenty from Maje Peachey and DJ Talaepa on the edge.
MARSDEN SHS
Who they play: PBC SHS (home), Ipswich SHS (home), Mabel Park SHS (away).
Despite being hampered by season ending injuries to two key players, forward Patrick Kailahi and strike centre Lui Lee, Marsden SHS were turning up as a team, staying connected and putting in.
You can see the spirit of the squad in their scramble.
Coach Krys Freeman said he had taken pleasure from watching his team fight to stay in the contest and “giving ourselves opportunities to win the game’’.
“The biggest learning would be being happy with the simple wins in a game and that we can compete with every team,’’ Freeman said.
The top performers for Marsden so far had been back rowers Tupou Francis and Taylan To’A, powerhouse interchange forward Benji Quinlan and captain and five-eight Javon Andrews.
PBC SHS
Who they play: Marsden SHS (away), Wavell SHS (away), Keebra Park SHS (home).
Expect Palm Beach Currumbin SHS’s campaign to crank up in the final three matches leading to the finals.
It has been a disrupted start to the season for PBC in terms of playing personnel, but with the likes captain and halfback Zane Harrison and fullback ace Ray Puru returning, PBC has high expectations over the next five weeks.
In the absence of Harrison running the side, young Marley McLaren and Taj Lateo have done a good job and around them Queensland representative back rower Jac Finigan has led the way in the forwards.
Titans-signed New Zealand forward Torino Jackson has also led the way in the forwards, while Callum Bowles has been a real Mr Fix-it across the PBC SHS backline.
WAVELL SHS
Who they play: Caloundra SHS (away), PBC SHS (home), Redcliffe SHS (home).
Wavell SHS were the sleeping giants who, on their day, can pop up and beat anyone in the competition and are also the real deal.
They have started matches like a train, jumping out of the blocks strongly, but coach Paul Stanley wants the group to ride out the momentum swings.
“There are always swings in momentum,’’ he said. “You have to ride the wave when you have momentum and work hard to lessen the blow when you don’t have it.’’
Queensland back rowers Charlie Dickson and Jared Horne have been tremendous, while talented Sangstar Figota has been consistent, alongside exciting winger Ruben Webb, young pivot Timahna Tandy and centre Keyarn Pene.
REDCLIFFE SHS
Who they play: Mabel Park SHS (away), Caloundra SHS (away), Wavell SHS (away).
Redcliffe has improved in leaps of bounds this season despite still not having a historic first ever win.
Well coached by Scott Murray and organised by captain Amare Wynyard and halfback Grady Payne, Redcliffe were a committed bunch playing with pride, effort and cohesion.
Despite being hampered by the absence of several representative players, Redcliffe were doing the simple things correctly.
They stretched premiership pacesetters Ipswich SHS to the brink, and only Ipswich’s outstanding defence prevented the upset of the season.
Hooker Wynyard has led the way, while Taufa Taulani has been excellent.
Watch for middle forwards Jairus Halahala and Henry Sologinkin to hit sixth gear in the second half of the season.
CALOUNDRA SHS
Who they play: Wavell SHS (home), Redcliffe SHS (home), Ipswich SHS (home).
Caloundra will enjoy a succession of home matches where supporters can continue to see the side dig in and fight hard in matches.
“The side has been competing and staying in the fight during our games which is pleasing,’’ said coach Toby Poole.
“Even though we are our own worst enemy so far, we keep working. We have shown plenty of resilience in what we do and we have kept taking pride in defending our mistakes.’’
Poole said his squad had been playing tough, playing above their weight.
It should be noted the team has been without its captain, Australian and Queensland schoolboys second rower Zac Garton.
Poole said the squad did need to “stay in the arm-wrestle for longer without producing an error’’.
“We need to stay error free for longer periods of time and force the other team to crack first, while not providing an easy ticket for our opponents to get into our half,’’ he said.
Best for Caloundra had been:
Malakye Blow, who hashas been outstanding with his intent, enthusiasm and aggression;
Jett Ryan, a bottom age younger student who has really stood up on Caloundra’s left edge filling the void left by the unavailable Zac Garton;
Queensland selection Cooper Clarke had been absolutely massive for Caloundra with his efforts, carries and defensive pressure and work.
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