Townsville Blackhawks Schoolboy Trophy: Round 1 match reports, ladder, Team of the Week
Townsville’s Ryan Catholic College shot to the top of the Blackhawks Trophy standings with an emphatic win over their cross-town rivals. Catch up on the latest schoolboys action here.
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Southern Cross Catholic College hosted Ryan Catholic College to kick off the Anzac Round of the Blackhawks Schoolboy Trophy on Wednesday, with the visitors triumphing 30-0.
Emotions were high between both schools following two nailbiting curtain-raisers in the under-13s (22-16 to Southern Cross) and under-15s (16-10 to Ryan) divisions and a stirring Anzac ceremony pre-game.
Things went from bad to worse early for Southern Cross, losing forward leader Sebastian Richards to a suspected hand fracture in the opening stages before finding themselves trailing 10-0 after just eight minutes.
Ryan displayed great defensive grit to hold out set after set of attacking football from the hosts, and those back-to-back efforts led to a momentum swing when backrower Campbell St George ran a great line off halfback and captain Riley McIntyre to score, pushing the lead out to 16.
Ryan Catholic College coach Annan Whittington said he spoke to his side about keeping level heads during the break.
“At halftime we spoke about taking the emotion out of the game due to the big home crowd and putting our second half energy into our line speed and back to back efforts from marker with the goal of keeping them to zero,” Whittington said.
That halftime dialogue from the mentor paid off when the intensity went to the next level in the second half.
Both teams were caught in a brutal tug of war until junior Cowboys Academy members Brad Pilchowski and Aston Smith broke the game open down their left edge.
“Brad and Aston, fresh off their Cowboys Academy camp and game over Easter were fantastic,” Whittington said.
“Aston moved from lock to left edge backrow to link up with Brad and they combined superbly, both showing great signs and bringing a whole new level of intensity to our side from their experiences with the Cowboys.”
Southern Cross unfortunately lost their exciting fullback Caden Nyen to a shoulder injury in the last 10 minutes and Ryan ran away with a flurry of late tries, bringing the result to a 30-0 win over their cross-town rivals.
Aston Smith was judged to be the Ryan Catholic College ANZAC Medalist for Player of the Match, while Southern Cross’ top player was hooker Jai Sturgess.
ALL SOULS ST GABRIEL’S SCHOOL DEFEAT BLACKHEATH THORNBURGH COLLEGE 16-10
It was a physical and passionate battle up in Charters Towers on Anzac Day with All Souls ultimately finishing on top thanks to forward trio Hunter McKellar, Gilbert Bethel and Mickey Luke.
McKellar and Bethel each scored, with the latter dotting down for his first try in three years for All Souls with a 50m solo effort.
All Souls coach Adrian Guldbransen said BTC’s discipline cost them in what was a tight contest.
“It was a tough game, both teams definitely had their chances and we were pretty lucky to get away with it in the end, to tell the truth,” Guldbransen said.
“Especially on Anzac Day, both teams are up for it. They have a lot to play for, but the discipline from the BTC lads at different times probably cost them a bit.
“Our man of the match went to our lock forward Gilbert Bethel. All our front row were really good, Hunter McKellar definitely played his best game for us and his front row partner Will Blennerhassett also had a cracker.
“And as always, Mickey Luke was up top for us, our captain and one of our best players – he always leads by example.”
Blackheath and Thornburgh’s two tries came from fullback Mahava Leo’s great solo effort which he finished in the corner and centre Ferlyn Hunter taking a 50m intercept in the first half.
BTC coach Toby Paynter said front rower Hazem Palmer was his sides’ best and it was a shame to see him end up in hospital after the game with a shoulder injury.
Despite that, Paynter said the school’s focus had already turned to their round 2 meeting with Gilroy Santa Maria College.
“We’ve got Gilroy on Tuesday and we were pretty disappointed. We lost our heads in the second half there and probably threw the game away,” Paynter said.
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Originally published as Townsville Blackhawks Schoolboy Trophy: Round 1 match reports, ladder, Team of the Week
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