Schoolboy Cup replay: Endeavour Sports defeats Patrician Brothers Blacktown

A brilliant display from star halfback Iverson Matai has led Endeavour Sports High to a thrilling opening-round win over Patrician Brothers Blacktown. WATCH THE REPLAY

Nick Campton

@campo37

2 min read

May 12, 2021 - 7:02PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Highlights: NRL Schoolboy Cup - Blacktown PB v Endeavour

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A brilliant display from star halfback Iverson Matai has led Endeavour Sports High to a pulsating 20-16 victory over Patrician Brothers Blacktown in the opening round of the NRL Schoolboys Cup.

Matai played a major hand in three tries and helped create the break that ended with Endeavour’s other score as they took the honours in a rematch of last year’s semi-final.

The gritty playmaker suffered a serious shoulder injury in that clash but made amends this time around as he marshalled his side superbly.

“He’s got a lot of experience from playing last year when he was just 16 and he’s better for it,” Endeavour coach Brad Kelly said.

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Endeavour players celebrate a first half try. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I was pleased for him to have a good game after he was injured in the semi-final last year and he missed half the junior reps season because his shoulder was no good.

“It’s great to see him back out there again.”

In a match between two powerhouses of schoolboy football it was Blacktown who opened the scoring through five-eighth Josh Coinakis in just the third minute.

But Matai, currently contracted to Canterbury, brought Endeavour back into the match by spearheading a three-try blitzkrieg midway through the first half.

By the time the dust settled, Endeavour boasted a 16-6 lead with Matai playing a crucial role in two tries, including a tremendous long-range effort finished by Te Wehi Waitere.

Matai’s combination with centre Kyron Fekitoa was particularly dangerous as the two threatened every time they managed to get some clean ball, as did backrower Junior Taupau.

REPLAY: NRL Schoolboy Cup - Patrician Brothers Blacktown v Endeavour Sports

The younger brother of Manly prop Marty, Taupau the younger looks to be an impressive prospect with his power and footwork making him a serious handful.

“He’s a real handful, he’s big and rangy with good footwork,” Kelly said. “He runs really hard, but he runs into space as well.”

When Matai put Taupau over early in the second half it looked as though the game was gone.

But Blacktown, last year’s champions, refused to lie down and roared to life on the back of some thunderous carries from middle forwards Josh Tajhya, Judah Galuvao and Tevita Tukuafoa.

When Endeavour centre Lisate Tupou was sin-binned for a professional foul it gave Patrician Brothers the opening they needed.

Endeavour Sports High got their Schoolboys Cup campaign off to a winning start. Picture: Jonathan Ng

First hooker Matthew Arthur, son of Eels coach Brad and budding halfback Jakob, pounced on a loose ball and released Jordan Faleono on a 60-metre dash to the line.

Then it was the towering Tukuafoa, who carried four Endeavour defenders over the line to narrow the gap to four points.

But in the end Endeavour did enough to hang on, with a stout defensive effort turning away a series of Blacktown raids in the final few minutes.

Matai’s cool head and sharp kicking game helped ease the pressure, as did some strong carries in the middle of the field from lock Luke Raymond and prop Samuel McCullouch.

Tajhya was the pick of the Patrician Brothers players with Arthur not far behind with a tireless defensive effort at dummy half.

Taupau and captain Sam Jinks also enjoyed strong outings for Endeavour, who will be among the favourites to take out the title.