Marsden SHS v Ipswich SHS livestream: Ipswich captain Pahulu cleared of biting charge

Ipswich are closing in on an unbeaten season record, and will play PBC SHS in the Langer Trophy decider with captain Josiah Pahulu who was cleared up a biting charge. RELIVE all the action from our LIVESTREAM.

UPDATE: Ipswich SHS skipper Josiah Pahulu has been cleared to play after the side booked its place in next week’s grand final showdown with an historic semi-final win by 24-16 win over Marsden State High School at Kougari Oval.

Ipswich SHS were now one win away from an unbeaten 10-0 season record and premiership glory.

Ipswich’s victory had initially been clouded by Pahulu’s exit. The Australian Schoolboys front rower was marched mid-way through the second half for an alleged biting incident in a tackle with Marsden’s Cody Hamilton.

Howver, at a hearing tonight, Thursday, the case was dismissed and he had “no case to answer’’.

The Langer Trophy semifinal was a torrid affair. Picture: Zak Simmonds

As the best teams do, they powered through with mighty mite fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris leading the way, scoring two fantastic tries.

“It is our first time into a Langer Trophy grand final and it is a huge moment for the school,’’ said coach Bretherton. “It is a massive moment for us.’’

He said the rugby league program was only relaunched in 2013 and to climb the ladder to make semi-finals, and now a grand final, was a milestone moment. “To be here is a monumental moment for us.’’

It was an entertaining semi-final with Ipswich marching well ahead on the back of a big forward pack and sure handling, Marsden responding before Ipswich pushed on again in the second half as Marsden challenged strongly in the last 10 minutes.

Celebration time for Ipswich. Picture: Zak Simmonds.

Earlier, it took 19 minutes of push and shove before the deadlock was broken. It was second rower Oliva Iaulualo, the most damaging player on the field for the first 20, who got Ipswich on the board.

With an arm free, Iaulualo got an offload away and from there it was a done deal. From lock Jack Laing, five-eighth James Frazer and wing Anton Naiyep, Kulu Baruani was given finishing duties.

Fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris extended Ipswich’s lead at 8-0 with the play of the day. Something came over Harris in his first game of the season with no headgear on, running away for a miraculous 90m solo try.

Peckham-Harris made something out of nothing with some fancy footwork. Then, he had the legs to beat everyone to finish the line.

Ipswich had one more say before the half time whistle with substitute winger and try scoring machine Joven Gyemore diving over. It was crisp handling in the backline by halfback Jalen Afamasaga, second rower Xavier Soefeni and Cronulla Sharks newest talent Tre Tofu who put the Cherbourg gun into space. 12-0.

Ipswich fullback Tyler Peckham-Harris was one of the stars of the game.

Cody Hamilton tries to spark the Marsden attack.

Marsden came out firing to begin the second half. Halfback Cody Black knew exactly what to do and that was feed it to a charging Faagutu.

With a barnstorming run up the middle, Faagutu stormed through a hole in the defence and linked up with Twidle who found none other than Black back on the inside.

The support from Black to follow the play he orchestrated clawed Marsden within six.

Marsden’s worst nightmare in Peckham-Harris answered almost immediately. Iaulualo used his game changing footwork and fend to put himself in a position to offload it, and trusty Peckham-Harris was storming through on his hip to make it 18-6.

Marsden SHS hooker Cory Pearse twice unravelled the Ipswich SHS defence to steer his side into the Langer Reserves grand final.

Marsden SHS won 24-14, scoring eight points late after Ipswich SHS had reduced the deficit to 16-10.

Pearse, wearing head gear, was outstanding in the heat, a performance garnished by two splendid individual tries.

Marsden won the Langer reserves semifinal over Ipswich.

Both four-pointers were the difference - one was seconds from halftime - and the other midway through the second half, extending Marsden SHS’s lead to 16-0.

At that moment Ipswich were in danger of losing their grip on the clash, but they had come too far to slide into oblivion.

A beautiful pass by fullback Xavier Kirk to edge forward Elijah Masame saw him gallop 45m to score, injecting life into Ipswich’s campaign. Marsden led 16-4 but 15 minutes still remained.

Langer Trophy semi-final between Marsden SHS and Ipswch SHS from Kougari Oval. Josiah Pahulu from Ipswch SHS. Picture: zak Simmonds

One try led to two, with the experienced Ipswich No.13 Kane Self powering over off the back of the scrum, further closing the gap to 16-10.

Self had had a strong match for Ipswich, and his individual burst from 10m out was reward for his toil, and Ipswich’s overall desire in defence.

But Ipswich then bungled the restart leading to a turnover in possession and a successful goal by Marsden SHS’s AJ Nanai, and Ipswich’s recovery had been doused.

Marsden then wrapped the match up when winger Saxon Innes crossed in spectacular fashion, and the semi-final was safe. AJ Nanai booted the sideline conversion and his goalkicking also played its part in the win.

PREVIEW: Huge Langer Trophy final four showdown

So who’s long reach will win today’s NRL Schoolboys (Langer Trophy) clash between Marsden SHS and Ipswich SHS?

The last two matches between these two schoolboy rugby league powerhouses have been decided with seconds to play by two big men with very long reaches.

LANGER, WALTERS CUP’S MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS THIS SEASON

MATCH REPLAYS: RELIVE ALL THE QUARTERFINAL ACTION HERE

NRL POWERHOUSES SNAP UP LANGER TALENT

Last month Ipswich SHS second rower Oliva Iaulualo kept Ipswich’s unbeaten record with an extraordinary Inspector Gadget type reach as the full-time siren was sounding.

Harry Durbin of Marsden SHS. (Image/Josh Woning)

How he reached over the top of fallen defenders to find the try line, only Oliva knows.

And last it was Marsden SHS front row giant Xavier Stowers who extended his arm with three seconds to play to break the hearts of Ipswich SHS in the corresponding semi-final.

Stowers was 200cm tall, and with his extended arm he must have reached almost 2m to win the game.

So who will be the long reaching hero today?

If it comes down to a last second lunge at the line, watch for these players.

Marsden SHS

Haizyn Mellars: The Marsden SHS winger, a state under 18 basketball, has great skill in the air and a vertical leap.

Coby Black: This tricky halfback could be the man to reach out for the line from one of his close to the line show and go.

Jacob Tinsley: A slightly underrated dummy half whose tenacity and fitness means he is always alive in the contest.

Ipswich SHS

Rene Bagon: How can such a big man not be a threat with his reach?

Oliva Iaulualo: Does lightning strike twice? We will soon find out at Kougari Oval today.

Gabriel Satrick: Gatrick’s fresh legs behind his go forward pack makes him a danger

IPSWICH v MARSDEN

Marsden: Apa Twidle, 2. Haizyn Mellars, 3. Devonte Vaivela, 4. Will Semu, 5. Teapo Stoltman, 6. Cody Hamilton, 7. Coby Black, 8. Harry Durbin, 9. Jacob Tinsley, 10. Mou Taumaletlia-Mauolo, Braden Teulia, Jieye Mauai, Chris Faagutu, 14. Kylem Vunipola, 15. Mana Whakatau, 16. VJ Semu, 17. Te Anau Graham Papalii, 18. Bailey Trew, 19. Coiro Rangihuni-Rari, Sej Tauati

Ipswich SHS: 1. Tyler Peckham-Harris 2. Kulu Baruani 3. Caleb Jackson 4. Tre Fotu 5. Anton Naiyep, 6. James Frazer 7. Jalen Afamasaga 8. Ahmani Leilua 9. Tommy Luhrman 15. Josiah Pahulu, 11. Xavier Sofeni, 12. Oliva Iaulualo 13. Jack Laing 14. Gabriel Satrick 16. Rene Bagon 10. Loko Tonga 17. Joven Gyemore