Struddys Cup grand final glory reports: Players of the Day includes terrorising twin pairing from King’s Christian College
Struddys Cup schoolboy grand finals: Read the reports and see who the Players of the Day were after three stunning league deciders between Redcliffe SHS, Mountain Creek SHS, Caloundra SHS, King’s College and Forest Lake SHS. The list includes an exciting twin pairing from King’s College that set Langlands Park alight on Tuesday.
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A twin pairing from King’s Christian College set Langlands Park alight on Tuesday afternoon when three enthralling schoolboy rugby league grand finals took place.
King’s CC Year 8 students Kobe Te-Kiri (hooker) and Noah Te-Kiri (lock) captivated onlookers in their team’s 46-nil defeat of Redcliffe SHS that iced an undefeated season with premiership glory.
In the Year 7 grand final, Forest Lake SHS defeated Mountain Creek SHS 16-8 while in the Year 9 grand final, Mountain Creek SHS beat Caloundra SHS 18-10 to claim the premiership.
It was something special in the Year 8 final from the Te-Kiri brothers, The Kiwi young guns sparking an eight try explosion by the Coast team, the toughest opposition of them all during the home-and-away season.
Scheming rake Kobe scored two long distance tries late in the match when he took advantage of tired bodies around the ruck, while destructive No.13 Noah laid a great platform earlier in the match with his carries through the middle.
Dummy half Kobe, who began the match defending like a man possessed, became the star of the show in the second half when Noah left the field by scoring a double and setting up a wonderful try by edge forward Ayvree Wetere.
With brilliant lines doing the trick, Wetere scored three in that match and it all began with identicle twins Kobe and Noah, Logan Saints Rugby Union guns who later this month will contest the Under-14s Emerging Reds Cup in different teams.
YEAR 8 STRUDDYS GRAND FINAL
Player of the Match halfback Leison Malu added the finishing touches to all but one of King’s CC’s comprehensive eight try barrage that delivered the Struddys Cup premiership.
Malu had the midas touch off the boot, and with the ball in hand, and played a big part of King’s highlight-laden performance where their telling defence quickly translated into clinical attacking raids.
LEFT TO RIGHT, GOODNIGHT
Classy goalkicking halfback Leison Malu had a superb say in King’s CC’s positive 18-nil start that put a down payment on victory.
After big Papu Purcell had kicked down the barn door to score the first try, Malu’s precise left to right passing down the right edge created the next two tries scored by fantastic finisher Russel Mapatano and barnstorming edge forward Ayvree Wetere.
His accurate cut out passing found a way for Mapatano and a no-look flat pass while eyeing up a shift out the back did the job for big Wetere who ran a great line to score.
The icing on top was his goalkicking, Malu kicking three-from-three in the first stanza with two coming from near the right touchline. He went on to slot seven-from-eight.
HEADGEARED HEROES
Fullback Blaine Adams, hooker Kobe Te-Kiri and lock Noah Te-Kiri – the headgear wearing bash brothers of King’s CC – were first rate from start to finish.
All sporting blue or white headgear to match the school colours, the terrific trio marched the side towards the winners post in different ways.
Roaming the backfield in the No.1 jersey, Adams was a top notch communicator and defender who made a trysaver on damaging Redcliffe centre Iosefo Taateo.
Scheming dummy half Kobe left his mark on the match with more than half a dozen scoots from the ruck where he moved his team into Redcliffe’s half while also being a workaholic on the defensive end – on one occasion making three tackles in a row which led to a Redcliffe handling error.
Lock Noah ran the hardest of all.
King’s College 46 (P. Purcell, R, Mapatano, A. Wetere 3, J.Phipson, K. Te-Kiri 2 tries, Malu 7 cons) def Redcliffe SHS nil.
TOP PERFORMERS
Kobe Te-Kiri (Kings Christian College)
The dynamic hooker garnished his performance with two sensational, long distance solo tries, but long before that he produced desperate leg tackles from marker, often cutting Redcliffe players off before they could gather momentum.
Aside from his spectacular try, Te-Kiri threatened with his runs behind quick ruck ball.
Noah Te-Kiri (Kings Christian College)
Playing No.13, Te-Kiri ran low to the ground with gusto, reducing his target as he aggressively hit the line.
He also had the strength and smarts to be able to unload in contact, all the while defending strongly when needed.
You could see he had chemistry with his twin brother and dummy half, Kobe.
Leison Malu (Kings Christian College)
The goal kicking halfback displayed several special touches, including a spiralling left hand side pass that ensured his centre Russel Mapatano had a clear passage to the line.
He also created a try when he shaped to pass out the back, only to pick up a rampaging Ayvree Wetere to run 20m to score.
He kicked a bunch of sideline conversions.
Papu Purcell (Kings Christian College)
Purcell was the muscle man across his stints, giving his side momentum in the ruck with power charges on both sides of the halftime break.
In defence he also forced an important error with a driving hit.
Ayvree Wetere (Kings)
A three try hero, the right edge forward ran powerfully and tackled strongly throughout.
It was his third try, when he burst through at one angle, and then at full pace swerved back the other way, which was worth the admission price alone.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Tyler Wilson (Redcliffe)
Wilson came from the clouds to produce the tackle of the match when he prevented Noah Te-Kiri from scoring under the posts after Te-Kiri had beaten two defenders.
The score was 24-nil at the time, but Wilson won that moment of personal pride.
Wilson later produced another try saving tackle, although he was penalised for an above the collar tackle.
Blaine Adams (King’s)
Adams produced a try saving tackle on Iosefo Taateo and looked threatening.
Pierson Faapito (Redcliffe)
The smallest forward on the field, he courageously scampered at the King’s defence, was an encouraging talker and defended strongly.
YEAR 7 STRUDDYS GRAND FINAL
Not even the elite kicking game of gutsy playmaker Braxton Dore could conjure enough magic for Mountain Creek SHS in their gallant defeat at the hands of a big and physical Forest Lake SHS outfit on Tuesday.
Forest Lake SHS won 16-8 with a two try effort from ball running halfback Jose Flores the decisive difference between two teams that both deserved to win.
The fantastic Flores, the Player of the Match and captain, scored two four-pointers in the first half which set up an all-important lead at oranges.
Not even body on the line defence, a spectacular try sparked by tactical kicking ace Dore and scored by Lucas Collett, and an inspiring performance from centre Coby Page could turn the tide for Mountain Creek.
Forest Lake, with Player of the Year Calvin Doolan mopping up a ton of tackles from fullback, used its power game through the middle third of the field to ensure victory.
Leading the charge was Illai Mataafa, Grayson Amosa, Locklan Ah Hong and Monson Tuileto’a.
HALFBACK HAVOC
Forest Lake SHS were first to hit the scoreboard and it was all powerful young halfback Jose Flores who made it happen.
Formidable through the hips, the No.7 went himself from close range, attacked an almost non-existent hole in the defence and evaded three defenders on his way to scoring under the sticks.
It was some try and his hooker Marcus Setu sent the conversion flying over the black dot to make it 6-nil after five minutes.
Then, with two minutes left in the half, Flores forced his way over courageous Mountain Creek defenders to take a commanding 12-4 halftime lead.
MOUNTAIN CREEK COURAGE
Despite Forest Lake SHS having an imposing size advantage, the Mountain Creek SHS boys fronted up like they were double the size and it was truly admirable.
The team’s bravery on the defensive end was eclipsed in the performance of fearless defender Zac Steinhart.
Steinhart entered the field late in the first half and collected a friendly fire elbow to his head on his way onto the field. It was a baptism of fire for the young gun and he proceeded to front up like one and half players with his defensive work demanding respect.
The tireless left edge battleship at times made two tackles in a set and he was just one cog in an impressive Mountain Creek defensive line that tackled above their weight.
Second rower Seth Waldock, centre Coby Page, Christian Cusack, Braxton Dore and Steinhart were stoic in defence, just to name a few.
Forest Lake SHS 16 (Jose Flores 2, Grayson Amosa tries, Marcus Setu 2 cons) def Mountain Creek SHS 8 (C. Page, Y. Mebrahtom tries).
TOP PERFORMERS
Calvin Doolan (Forest Lake)
There was a one minute period where Doolan produced the try saving tackle of the game when Mt Creek looked certain to score, then seconds later was bursting into the clear and being the central man in a move that finished 65m up the field.
Just after halftime Doolan produced a tremendous pass in a tackle to allow Grayson Amosa to squeeze over in the corner, and then made two try saving tackles on Mt Creek centre Coby Page.
Ilai Mataafa (Forest Lake)
After his starting props Locklan Ah Hong and Monson Tuileto’a had done the early lifting with their carries around the ruck, Mataafa was the third big wheel rolling forward down the middle.
The athletic No.13 went hard until replaced 10 minutes from fulltime.
Thomas Lucas (Mt Creek SHS)
Lucas led from the front with his rib cage, driving defence and quick linespeed when he got up and in the faces of bigger rivals.
Coby Page (Mt Creek SHS)
Centre Page scored one try, should have been awarded a second and drew a line in the sand when he stood up to giant Forest Lake prop Ah Hong after a push and shove in the ruck.
Page also made a break in the second half, halted only by Doolan’s grand cover defending tackle. He also made another clean break but that man Doolan prevented another try.
Grayson Amosa (Forest Lake)
Second rower Amosa bedded down the right edge with dynamic defence from start to finish and was also on hand to accept a pass by Doolan to score.
Jose Flores (Forest Lake)
Halfback Flores impacted the game twice before half time with charges akin to a front rower coming off the back fence.
His powerhouse individual burst netted a try close to the break, and two more charges just after halftime placed Forest Lake onto the front foot just ahead of Amosa scoring.
Braxton Dore (Mt Creek SHS)
Busy all game, Mountain Creek conductor Braxton Dore produced one of the moments of the season with a brilliant creation of a try for his winger Lucas Collett after he made a long break, cut across the field and chip kicked passed for his winger.
It was golden try stuff from the crafty five-eighth who earlier in the match had a masterstroke when kicking a superb 40/20 off his left boot.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Locklan Ah Hong and Monson Tuileto (Forest Lake)
The book ends pounded the opposition early, and again after halftime and it was off the back of their charges that Forest Lake were able to produce two periods of play where their winning total came from.
Ryan McPherson (Mt Creek SHS)
McPherson was a defensive terrier who harassed the bigger Forest Lake forwards with his advancing tackles around the legs.
The diminutive hooker also had plenty of run in his legs from the ruck.
Seth Walduck (Mt Creek)
Walduck played strongly in defence at second row and courageously ran the ball.
WILDCARD WATCH: Izaya Robinson (Mt Creek SHS)
YEAR 9 STRUDDYS GRAND FINAL
After conceding the first try of the match, Mountain Creek SHS turned it on to run in four answered tries and capture the Year 9 Struddys Cup premiership from Caloundra SHS.
Mountain Creek SHS won 18-10, with hooker Bennett Cash, right centre Mitch heit, left centre Tristan Hay and rip-and-tear edge forward Makani Madgwick all crossing the stripe.
The forever probing Darius Birve, Caloundra’s captain, gave his side a sniff with seven minutes to go when he burrowed his way over to draw within eight points but that was as close as they would come.
CASH IS KING
Mountain Creek SHS hooker Bennett Cash carved a gorge through the Caloundra defence to score his first try and was in the action again shortly after when he laid the foundation for his team’s second try.
The fearless dummy half was first class in the first half, having his say in both of Mountain Creek’s tries that turned a 4-nil deficit into a slender 8-4 halftime lead.
RIGHT EDGE RIPPLE
Mountain Creek SHS’s right edge Mitch Heit and Harvey Morris combined to produce a wonderful display that sent a ripple through Caloundra’s defensive line and helped their side to safety.
The pair of them blockaded that whole side of the field out of play with their tough defence as a unit.
In attack they were also elite with Heit scoring and Morris making a ton of metres with his carries.
As a right edge defensive unit, they were impenetrable.
Mountain Creek SHS 18 (B.Cash, M.Heit, T.Hay, M.Madgwick tries, H.Morris con) def Caloundra SHS 10 (L. Ahau, D.Birve tries, R.Markey con).
TOP PERFORMERS
Bennett Cash (Mt Creek SHS)
Cash scored the first try for his side, a burrowing effort from close to the line, and also softened the Caloundra line with a scamper from dummy half the ruck before centre Heit scored the team’s second try.
Mitchell Heit and Harvey Morris (Caloundra)
The left edge defensive unit of Heit (centre) and Morris (second row) defied any sorties launched at them by Caloundra SHS, while Heit was also on hand to finish off a vital try just on half time when Henare Tai offered him possession. Morris was still bending blokes back late in the game with uncompromising defence.
Darius Birve (Caloundra SHS)
The Mt Creek defenders were like bees around a hive when Birve touched the ball, swarming to defend him both when Birve was at dummy half or No.13. But the Caloundra SHS kept coming with ways to try and find his side a try, and it was no surprise when this little champion gave his side a sniff by snaring a try with seven minutes remaining.
Kaiden Jennings (Mt Creek SHS)
No.13 Jennings ran without fear of self preservation and offered unrelenting defence in the middle of the ruck for Mountain Creek SHS.
He was named the official man of the match after a cracking performance.
Oliver Smith (Caloundra SHS)
With the ball the left edge second rower tried to wriggle his side free of Mt Creek’s grasp, while also defending strongly against the challenging dynamic duo from Mt Creek, Heit and Morris. Smith knew what was coming his way, but he kept fronting up regardless.
SPECIAL MENTION
Madgwick Makani (Mt Creek SHS)
Makani produced the tackle of the game which not only sent the opposition player reeling, it also dislodged possession, gift wrapping Mt Creek the ball again. And midway through the second half he scored a decisive try using brute strength close to the line.
Cleveland Mackay (Mt Creek SHS)
Named the Year 9 Player of the Season, Mackay finished the season in style where his clever footwork and speed around the ruck contributed to Mt Creek SHS winning the game of inches.
THE PREVIEW
Grand final fever has hit the Struddy’s Cup schoolboy rugby league competition, with three deciders set to unfold on Tuesday at Brisbane Tigers headquarters.
The couriermail.com.au present the key Players to Watch in the three grand finals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Year 7, Forest Lake SHS
Calvin Doolan
A fullback, Doolan is fast, skilful and elusive. The leading try scorer for the side this year, Doolan is also an outstanding player in cover defence.
Jose Flores
The Forest Lake halfback, there are times when Flores is like having another forward on the field that can manage. He is a powerful ballrunner, while also possessing a strong, long kicking game.
Ilai Mataafa
A lock for Forest Lake will be the big hearted Mataafa, a smaller forward who has a knack for breaking tackles.
Year 7, Mountain Creek SHS
Coby Page
A strong centre with explosive footwork, Page was the top try scorer in the Mountain Creek side. Hard to handle one on one carrying the ball, Page is also aggressive in defence.
Christian Cusack
The Mountain Creek SHS Year 7 captain, Cusack is an effort on effort player in every game he plays. Tireless in both attack and defence, Cusack steers the team around with a calm head and is someone his teammates can always rely on to be there when things get tough.
Ryan McPherson
Smart and elusive from the ruck, McPherson does not shy away from contact either. He is the type of dummy half who keeps teams honest around the middle with his vision in attack and whack in defence.
Year 8, Redcliffe SHS
Iosefo Taateo (Redcliffe SHS)
Is this the player of the tournament?
Equally comfortable playing centre, lock or second row, Taateo is an extremely strong ball carrier who does the tough stuff - while having the impact to score tries.
He has a capacity to inspire teammates with his strong defence.
Tyler Wilson (Redcliffe SHS)
A five eight who plays lock for his club, Wilson controls the team well and likes to put his outside man into space. Wilson also has a strong running game and can turn teams around with a huge kick.
Jorvia Alo (Redcliffe SHS)
The brother of Queensland under-15 representative Jonathan, Jorvia can play prop or second row where his strong runs gets the team going forward. He also has an ability to quickly quick play the balls.
Will O’Neil (Redcliffe SHS)
The prop is one of six boys who will back up a few days later by playing for the under-13 Burpengary Jets in the under-13 Division 1 final. He leads the team by his actions and has a strong carry.
Riley Wilson (Redcliffe SHS)
Wilson has turned into a rugby league natural after only starting in the code as an under-12 player on the Sunshine Coast last year. He is a raw talent still learning the game, but thrives on the tough stuff. Wilson is a reliable forward who will give you his best every game.
Year 8, King’s Christian College
Kobe Te-Kiri
The team’s hooker, Kobe is defensively strong and tremendously consistent. Indeed he has been among Kings College’s most consistent players.
throughout the season setting the platform for our team each week.
Ayvree Wetere
A second rower, Wetere is a strong ball carrier with great footwork who enjoys getting to work. He plays his club football in the outside backs, and he brings those skills to the back row where he generates a lot of attacking options for the side.
Russell Mapatano
A centre Russell Mapatano is a student of the game, someone who has excelled through this
schoolboy season. He is quick with his feet and loves to get early ball.
Blaine Adams
A half or fullback with vision, Adams is quick and agile and not afraid to take the game on. Adams is a player well suited to a grand final because he loves to defend great vision
Year 9, Caloundra SHS
Darius Birve
Caloundra SHS arrive on grand final day having lost just one game - ironically to fellow grand finalists Mountain Creek SHS.
Leading the charge this season will be captain and dummy half Darius Birve, the Queensland White representative who has been outstanding all season. Indeed since the national championships in July, Birve has taken his team to another level.
Noted for being cool and calm, his demeanour is a positive influence on his teammates.
Birve scored two late tries in the semi-final to win the game for Caloundra.
Logan Ahau
One of the best all season, Ahau has made up for lost time after missing the first few rounds. He can turn the game on its head in just one play, a footballer with x-factor written all over him. Ahau loves contact and getting in to the game. He has played fullback and lock this year.
Jai Glister
A prop, Glister will be the engine room leader. Strong and brave with his carries all season, Glister has been putting his team on the front foot. Safe defensively, he also has added the responsibility of being the goal kicker - something he takes it in his stride.
Year 9, Mountain Creek SHS
Cleveland Mackay
As captain, Mackay leads by example with his extra effort plays. He is someone who never stops trying, a person who pops up where his team needs him. Mackay has been Caloundra’s most consistent and best player all season and is a major reason for the team’s success.
Tristan Hay
A hard running outside back, Hay needs limited space to take advantage of opposition mistakes. Hay is also solid in defence with great scramble and aggressive contact, and it is these attributes which saw him selected into the Melbourne Storm Academy earlier in the year.
Harvey Morris
Mr Versatile, Morris is able to fill most positions on the field. A big game player suited to finals’ football, Morris has worked hard this year to cement his position in the team and takes nothing for granted.
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