Marsden SHS v Kirwan SHS in the NRL Schoolboys Cup QLD final

Townsville’s Kirwan SHS has claimed the ultimate honours in schoolboy footy after a clinical victory over Marsden SHS. Check out our rolling coverage here.

Kirwan State High School co-captains Adrian Trevilyan (left) and Brad Schneider. Picture: Colleen Edwards, QRL

FULLTIME: Kirwan State High will contest next week’s NRL Schoolboy Cup decider after claiming their fourth Queensland title in emphatic fashion over Marsden State High.

Leading 12-6 at halftime, the Bears starved Marsden of possession in a sublime second-half shutout to emerge 38-12 victors at Langlands Park.

Centre Clay George starred with two tries while fullback Steven Numambo and prop Abai Chatfield produced outstanding football to send Kirwan into their first national decider since 2015.

“We let go a bit in the first half but we kept completing our sets and came good in the end,” Kirwan co-captain Adrian Trevilyan said.

“We’ve been working hard every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning with those 5am starts and I think the boys really deserve this win.”

Clay George scored twice for Kirwan SHS. Picture: Matt Taylor

The 24-point margin was barely imaginable after the Makos took an early lead through hooker Ezra Teuila, who ducked and weaved from dummy half to score the game’s first try.

With their tails up, Marsden worked their way downfield but it wasn’t long before Kirwan began to stretch their legs.

It took two try saving tackles from Tyrone Sa’U and Colin Tui just to keep the Bears at bay before the floodgates finally opened, first through Tyrone Gunn-James and then through George, who barged over in the 28th minute to hand Kirwan a six-point halftime lead.

The second stanza couldn’t have started worse for Marsden with winger Leon Te Hau failing to secure the kick-off and when Nanai bashed over two tackles later, Kirwan had their third in less than ten minutes.

Jesse Yallop played his part in the Kirwan victory. Picture: Evan Morgan

The stranglehold tightened as winger Jesse Yallop finished off an Adrian Trevilyan break in the left corner and when Marsden gave away a penalty from the ensuing kickoff, the game was effectively over.

Further tries to George and co-captain Brad Schneider followed as Makos centre Tony Francis found himself sin-binned for repeated ruck infringements and it took an incredible 15 minutes for Marsden to actually touch the ball.

Caleb Evan’s 49th minute try gave his side a glimmer of hope but when Tyreece Woods pounced on a swirling kick-off to score untouched, Kirwan’s plane tickets to Sydney

Marsden returned fire with two late consolation tries through TC Robati but coach Jesse Maclean admitted it was too little too late as Kirwan ran out 24-point winners.

“Nothing went our way in that second half but Kirwan worked hard and they made the ball bounce their way,” Maclean said.

“That’s rugby league at schoolboy level. We didn’t execute a few times but you’ve got to give it to Kirwan’s attitude and desire.

“We didn’t have the ball for 17 minutes in that second half, they did and they made the most of it.”

Kirwan coach Todd Wilson paid tribute to his side’s defensive effort following the win.

“We knew Marsden would come in strong with their power game in those first 20 minutes and that we could find some defensive opportunities alter in the game,” Wilson said.

“What we lack in physical size we make up for in smarts skills and effort and that’s what has got them to this point.”

KIRWAN STATE HIGH SCHOOL 38 (George 2, Gunn-James, Nanai, Schneider, Woods, Yallop tries; Schneider 5 goals) def MARSDEN STATE HIGH SCHOOL 22 (Robati 2, Evans, Teuila tries; Tu’ua 3 goals)

FULL TEAM LISTS

MARSDEN SHS

Tyrone Sa’U

Colin Tui

Tony Francis

Ricky Wells

Leon Te Hau

Rixson Andrew

Konrad Tu’ua

Adonai Faagutu

Ezra Teuila

Tristan Pati

TC Robati

Keenan Timu

Caleb Evans

Josh Downs

George Aumua

George Lee

Terry Lafoia

Tepa Arokapiti

Mika Cooper-Finau

KIRWAN SHS

Steven Numambo

Ragsy Wavik

Tyreece Woods

Clay George

Jesse Yallop

Tareq Parter

Brad Schneider

Abai Chatfield

Adrian Trevilyan

Bonnar McGregor

Jeremiah Nani

Isiah Kawane

Tyrone Gunn-James

Ty Ty Baira

Jacob Taia

Kaya Anapa

Harley Taylor

Xavier Chatfield