2025 NSW NRL Schoolgirls Cup: Hunter SHS v Erindale College, Round 3

Hunter Sports High has crashed the Erindale party, robbing the girls from the nation’s capital a chance to play in the Schoolgirls Cup finals with a dominant win. Watch the REPLAY.

Hunter Sports High has broken the heart of Erindale’s finals hopefuls.

The girls from the Hunter were scintillating in their performance, with the right edge attack going to another level to pick up the school’s first and only win of the NRL Schoolgirls Cup campaign.

WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

In the process they have ended Erindale College’s finals hopes, with the girls from the nation’s capital needing a win to unseat rivals Bass High, who upset heavyweights Hills Sports High earlier on Thursday.

Hunter Sports High ran in six-unanswered tries in the 32-0 rout, with their impressive backline making the most of a ruck-speed advantage provided by power forwards Lauren Filip and Ellazae Ellers.

With ASSRL champion hooker Charley Lahmert organising play from dummy-half, and impressive halfback Maronay Smuts running the show from the pivot, the Hunter Sports High side looked like a well-oiled machine in their final pool game.

But it was the right-edge attack which stole the show, with centre Holly Winter helping set-up four tries down her side of the field with winger Issy Aloupis bagging a double while fullback Grace Smith also notched two tries of her own.

Lahmert opened the scoring when she backed up a half-break through the middle of the field, while her exceptional service out of dummy-half was crucial in their final try through left-winger Makenzie Forbes-Abercrombie.

It was a tough break for the Erindale side, who had beaten Bass High in the earlier rounds to open the door for a finals campaign.

But while they didn’t lack the toughness, they struggled to gain any momentum in the loss to Hunter Sports, with poor errors and ill-discipline costing the visitors.

PREVIEW

There’s not only a spot in the Schoolgirls Cup finals on the line, but a spot at the inaugural NRLW Magic Round in Newcastle.

It’s an incredible carrot for Erindale College, who is coached by current Canberra Raiders centre Mackenzie Wiki.

A win over Hunter Sports High is enough for them to qualify to the next round, while a loss leaves the walking the tightrope of relying on margins and other results.

The Erindale v Hunter clash will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 2pm on Thursday.

“To feature as a curtain raiser for the first NRLW Magic Round would be amazing for us,” Wiki said.

“It’s what we need in our system, getting the younger generation (that stage and exposure).

“It’s a big incentive for us to play there, and it would be even better to be able to coach the girls and be able to play on afterwards.”

Erindale currently sits in second after Bass High was stripped of its round one victory, meaning as long as they don’t lose by more than 18 and Hills Sports High defeats Bass, they will qualify for the next round.

School holidays have meant they haven’t played as a unit for five weeks, but Wiki said the signs were encouraging against a strong Hills side.

“The girls played amazing against Hills,” she said.

“One of the positives is they kept pushing until the end. The girls showed up. We worked just as hard as Hills, who is a good team with a lot of talent.

“To have our Canberra girls get among the Sydney girls. They’re big and strong, but we have a lot of heart here.”

Erindale’s Reese Vidler, pictured here in action during the NSWRL Junior Reps, has been in stellar form in the Schoolgirls cup this year. Picture: Martin Ollman.

Wiki is looking for her leaders to step up in the big game, along with a key returning forward into the mix.

“Our two captains, Paua-Lee Going and Reese Vidler have been really good for us this year,” she said.

“Not only on the field but off it. They’re a big part of the footy program and I’m excited to see them lead the girls out there.

“Charlotte Nicolson is back as well. She’s a powerhouse who played for Country and we’re excited to have her back in the squad.

“Everyone will show up. They’re keen to get back to school and play this game.”