Livestream: NRL Schoolboys grand final between Patrician Brothers, Fairfield and Hill Sports High (NRL Schoolboys Cup)
Patrician Brothers Fairfield snapped a 30-year NRL Schoolboys title drought in style, storming home from 16 points down to stun Hills Sports. RELIVE the action from our LIVESTREAM.
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Moments away from losing the NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final, Patrician Brothers Fairfield’s number 12 pulled out all the stops.
He charged down a clearing kick, regathered and dived over the line in the 59th minute to lift his side to an incredible 20-16 comeback victory over Hills Sports High School at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
When all seemed lost, Joshua Alhazim came up big. For his tireless efforts throughout an often brutal game, he was awarded the man of the match.
An impressive second-half performance proved the difference as Pats climbed off the canvas from 16 points down to take the title in the dying seconds.
Hills looked likely to win comfortably when they raced out a 16-0 lead early in the second half before Pats found their footing and poured on the pressure late. It was their first title since 1992.
Despite being the toast of his school, Alhazim was quick to share the glory among his teammates.
“It is a reward for all the boys’ hard work, the coaching staff, Frank (Pritchard), our principal. It is the reward for all their hard work over the years,” he said.
“I couldn’t thank them enough. The school have been supporting us for the last two years tremendously and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Despite the early scoreline concern and losing prop Jordan Miller to the sin bin late in the first half, he never gave up hope.
“Every single game we went into this year, we never doubted it. We always thought we would come on top.”
Pats coach Frank Pritchard praised his team’s effort and determination.
“A lot of people had written us off, but the boys showed grit and resilience,” he said.
“That’s what we’ve done all year.”
The atmosphere was incredible, with a huge crowd enjoying a game of incredible twists and turns.
Hills got away early and led 10-0 at the break. Pats though turned the tables, winning the second half 20-6.
It was a trio of tries from captain Yehya Ayache, left wing Noah Funa and prop Miller that saw them rally to 16-14 with just minutes to play.
Alhazim then produced his magic.
Hills fullback Blake Metcalfe was one of the best for the losing side.
It was his four-pointer right on the halftime whistle that saw the side extend their lead.
It was followed by a try from five-eighth Jonathan Ibrahim early on in the second half.
The first half was a real arm wrestle. Despite both side entering enemy territory on multiple occasions, it was not until the 15th minute that points were added to the board, after Hills right wing Alaa Lababidi flew over the white line.
PREVIEW: Ultimate western Sydney showdown for decider
Round after round, shift after shift, win after win. It all comes down to this one game.
It will be the ultimate western Sydney clash as Patrician Brothers, Fairfield prepare to take on Hills Sport High in Wednesday’s NRL Schoolboys grand final.
The game will be exclusively livestreamed from Leichhardt Oval by KommunityTV from 1pm.
A new school will be crowned champion after Pats knocked beat 2019 winners Westfields Sports High 19-18 in a thrilling semi-final last week.
Each school’s number 9 will lead their side into battle, with Yehya Ayache and Billy Scott named captains.
MEET THE NRL SCHOOLBOYS ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM OF 2022
Pats are ready to take home the trophy in front of their peers, who will flood the stands and pump up the team as they pound their drums.
Bursting with school pride, Ayache emphasised what it means to win the game, not just for the team, but for their whole school.
“Everyone’s doing their best to try to give us the best opportunity possible to win this game,” he said.
“We’ve got our whole school behind us. Our principal is trying to get the whole school to the game to watch and support us.”
“The school hasn’t won the cup for 30 years, and it means a lot to them for us to bring back the trophy.”
Despite being the top ranked qualifiers, Ayache knows it will be a tough game, as they take on the top-placed automatic qualifiers.
“It will be a difficult game,” he concedes.
“They have some really great players, including their halfback Cassius (Tia) who steers their team around and their hooker, Billy Scott, he’s very good in that position. He has great defence, is very crafty and gets the team moving forward,” said Ayache.
Reaching the decider has not been an easy ride for Hills, with their 22-18 semi-final win against Erindale College only sealed in the dying seconds.
Scott said getting to this point means everything, especially as captain.
“It’s great to captain a team like this, they’re a great group of young boys. I love the responsibility of controlling and taking over this team, it’s been really good experience,” he said.
“It’s not just like a weekend team, I’ve been to school with these boys for six years now, it’s been a journey.”
He was also quick to praise the coaches, with a win to mean just as much to them as the players.
“They put in so much extra effort that I suppose we don’t probably see and appreciate as much as we should, but it’s a winner for them and it will be pretty special.”
TEAMS
The Hills Sports High
1/Blake Metcalfe, 2/Alaa Lababidi, 3/ Peteru Pritchard, 4/ Albert Litisoni, 5/ Siaosi Kaliti, 6/ Jonathan Ibrahim, 7/Cassius Tia, 8/ Vena Patuki-Case, 9/Billy Scott, 10/Luron Patea, 11/ Liam Aarons, 12/ Harry Hassett, 13/ Mustafa Dirani, 14/ Lorenzo Talataina, 15/ Jordan Uta, 16/ Levi Mariri, 17/ Sam Squire, 18/Marc Tannous, 19/ Sean Pokia
Patrician Brothers, Fairfield
1/ Junior Fagalele, 2/ Corey Leigh, 3/ Godfrey Ilavalu, 4/ Sione Lolohea, 5/ Noah Funa, 6/ Taj’h Colquhoun, 7/ Chad Daniels, 8/ Massimo Mari, 9/ Yehya Ayache, 10/ Jordan Miller, 11/ Jezaiah Funa-luta, 12/ Joshua Alhazim, 13/ Bailey Myers, 14/ Zaidas Muagututia, 15/ Matt Alhazim, 16/ Billy Arena, 17/Jack Leigh, 18/ Enryko Memea Epe, 19/ Dionn Haratsaris, 20/ Robert Uhatafe, 21/ Kohan Lewis, 22/ Lucci Muliaga, 23/ Robertson Lepale
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