Live stream: Hills Sports and Endeavour clash in massive NRL Schoolboys Cup double-header

For 50 minutes, Hills Sports showed their undoubted NRL Schoolboys quality by running Endeavour ragged. It’s the final 10 minutes that was a little cause for concern. Relive all the action.

Hills Sports High have kicked off their redemption campaign with a convincing 36-16 win over Endeavour at Blue Bet Stadium on Wednesday.

Hills wasted no time in getting points on the board with Na’oia Tofaeano breaking through the Endeavour defence on their first possession to score in the corner.

Endeavour were a formidable opponent, but were simply outclassed by last year’s runners-up and their cohesive defensive line.

Hills assistant coach Mitchell Lewis said while it was a positive result to start the season, there was definitely a few issues to address.

The Hills backline proved a handful for the Endeavour defence all day. Pic: Christian Anstey

“I think we played well for the first 50 minutes,” he said.

“There was definitely a little bit of complacency there.”

Hills made good use of an extra man on the field after Endeavour’s Bailey Leach was sent to the sin bin late in the first half, planting two tries before the break.

The sin bin was also needed late in the match for a dangerous tackle, the culprit this time was Hills centre Albert Litsisoni.

Mitchell said being a man down ‘really hurt’ the team.

“It let (Endeavour) gain more momentum,” Mitchell said.

Fullback Lincoln Fletcher contributed 16 points of his own, kicking six from six as well as scoring a try just before halftime.

Mitchell said the boys really need to prove defensively ahead of their next clash with Patrician Brothers, Blacktown on June 14.

“If we want to be really serious about this competition, we can’t be conceding 18 points every week.”

It was a good start to the 2023 season for Hills Sports. Pic: Christian Anstey

PREVIEW

Still chastened by last year’s grand final defeat, Hills Sports High are determined to kick off their 2023 Peter Mulholland Cup campaign in style on Wednesday.

After going through the 2022 season undefeated, Hills fell 20-16 to Patrician Brothers, Fairfield in the final moments of a thrilling decider.

They start their new campaign with a clash against Endeavour Sports High, a team they comfortably disposed of in the early rounds last year.

Hills began last year’s decider on fire but faded in the second half.

The match is part of a blockbuster double header at Blue Bet Stadium and will be LIVE STREAMED exclusively by KommunityTV as part of our season-long coverage of the Peter Mulholland Cup.

Patrician Brothers, Blacktown clash with Westfield Sports High in the later game. See the full round one schedule below.

All four teams are part of the seeded pool and Hills coach Shane Jones knows his side face a huge task to repeat last year’s heroics.

“Obviously these games are very hard to win,” Jones said.

“But the boys are out there training in the early hours of the morning, sometimes it’s still dark and there’s frost on the oval, but they get it done because they love it.”

Jordan Uta, who came off the bench in last year’s grand final, said the boys want to come into the new season stronger than ever and learn from last year’s mistakes.

Hills Sports players Callan Phillips, Albert litisoni, Lorenzo Talataina and Jordan Uta.

“It obviously gives us more motivation,” Uta said.

“It all depends on the boys, if they put in the effort in training, the results will come.”

A key part of bouncing back from last year’s disappointment for Jones is consistency in every game, no matter the opponent.

“We try to instil in the boys how important it is to compete in every moment of the game, not just in the big games,” Jones said.

TEAM LISTS

Endeavour Sports High

1. Zane Walker, 2. Luca Bento, 3. Nikora Williams, 4. Aiden Hodges, 5. Bailey Leach, 6. Bronson Harden-Emery, 7. Bryce Sait, 8. Viliami Hikila, 9. Tye Bursill, 10. Loko Pasifika-Tonga, 11. Cyrus Stanley-Traill, 12. Lochlin Moses, 13. Risiate Smith, 14. Kaden Gardner, 15. Trent Dixon, 16. Blake Watman, 17. Natane Haunga, 18. Lewis Sargeant-Wilson, 19. Kalan Ngaika; Coach: Brad Kelly

Hills Sports High

1. Lincoln Fletcher, 2. Cooper Rauhihi, 3. PJ Sosaiete, 4. Albert Litisoni, 5. Na’oia Tofaeano, 6. Tyler Birnie, 7. Marc Tannous, 8. Douglas Tuala, 9. Jackson McBain, 10. Jordan Uta, 11. Mace Karhani, 12. Hayden Elkris, 13. Jordan Bunt, 14. Mitchell Owen, 15. Adam Meslemani, 16. Riley Watson-Miletic, 17. Logan Huia, 18. Sevuloni Satala