NRL Schoolboy Cup: Illawarra Sports High vs Endeavour Sports High
The NRL Schoolboy Cup is down to the final four after Endeavour Sports High outclassed Illawarra Sports High and sent a warning to the other contenders for this year’s title. WATCH THE REPLAY.
Schoolboy Cup
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Endeavour Sports High School have stormed their way into the NRL Schoolboy Cup semi finals, after a clinical 48-16 win over Illawarra Sports High School at Kirkham Oval on Friday.
Brad Kelly’s side were simply bigger and stronger and will now face powerhouse Patrician Brothers Blacktown in a blockbuster semi-final over the coming weeks.
Despite the scoreboard, Illawarra’s star five-eighth Junior Amone - who will start a preseason with the Dragons after completing his HSC examinations - relished the chance to play even just one Schoolboy Cup match with his classmates.
ENDEAVOUR SPORTS VS ILLAWARRA SPORTS: WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
SCROLL DOWN FOR TEAMS AND SCORERS
“We take school footy like a brotherhood, we’ve been together since Year 7, you come a long way together, it’s different to rep footy, you’re not together every day,” Amone said.
“We wanted to get the win, it was a tough start, we had a really good ten minute stint, looked like we could turn it around, but I’m proud of the boys.”
The NRL rookie’s face lit up at the thought of doing a preseason with the club he’s supported since he was a kid.
“I’m nervous and excited at the same time, I know doing this pre-season will better me, training with guys like Ben Hunt and Cameron McInness” Amone said.
“And also guys like, Jayden Sullivan, we’ve played together, it’s good to be in the top grade with someone you know.”
Endeavour’s fullback Dylan Hema was another standout.
“I’m usually a centre, but I had to fill in for my good mate Kyle Weatherall, who went into surgery last week, we’re pretty devastated he couldn’t play today but it was good to get the job done today for him” Hema said.
The Year 12 student admitted that his team will be tested by Paddys in the semi final, but he can’t wait to rip in.
“I know a few of them, they’re pretty big boys, it’s going to be tough” Hema said.
It took Endeavour just four minutes to get on the board. Halfback Iverson Matai saw the numbers out left and combined with Lajuan Vito and Dylan Hema to send Te Wehi Waitere over. With skipper Billy Burke’s conversion waved away, Endeavour led 4-0.
Hooker Kobie Wilson then scored off the back of a Matai grubber that was too awkward for Illawarra defenders to diffuse. Burns converted and Endeavour were ahead 10-0.
In the 10th minute, Illawarra got their first sniff.
After forcing two errors, Billy Cook - a Thirroul Butchers player and talented surfer - scampered from dummy half to score between the posts. Cook booted the conversion and Illawarra trailed 10-6.
Despite great pressure from Illawarra - especially off the kick off - the boys from Berkeley couldn’t stop a four Endeavour tries before half time.
A textbook draw and pass from second rower Sam Jinks put centre James Roach over in the 14th minute and Burke’s brilliant sideline conversion pushed Endeavour ahead 16-6.
Minutes later, fullback Dylan Hema made a scintillating break. Roach and Waitere were there in support and the winder crossed in the 18th minute. Endeavour extended their lead to 20-6.
Strong tries to Burns and Hema gave their school a 32-6 lead at half time.
After the drinks break, Endeavour centre Lajuan Vito scored a brilliant individual try on the first play off a scrum. The Bulldogs Harold Matts’ star stepped a handful of defenders to cross in the 32nd minute and extended his school’s lead to 36-16.
But the Illawarra’s Junior Amone clicked into gear.
The Dragons NRL rookie put Jack Piccirilli over in the 38th minute and Lochlann Davies slotted the conversion to reduce the deficit to 36-12.
Minutes later, Amone ran the ball last tackle to inspire a brilliant team try from Illawarra that ended with centre Te Heremaia-Tukere touching down in the 41st minute. Without the conversion, Illawarra trailed 36-16.
Endeavour then hit back through their own five-eighth Callum Perryman. The Dragons SG Ball star showcased great footwork and a dummy to nab a four pointer under the posts. Burns slotted the conversion and Endeavour led 42-16.
Formidable forward Dranza Hawe-De Thierry then steamrolled his way over and, with Burns’ successful conversion, Endeavour finished on a 48-16 victory.
SCORERS
Endeavour: TRIES - Lajuan Vito, Billy Burke, Te Wehi Waitere (2), James Roach, Kobie Wilson, Dylan Hema, Callum Perryman, Joshua Finau GOALS - Billy Burke 6/9
Illawarra: TRIES - Billy Cooke, Jack Piccarelli, Te Heremaia-Tukere GOALS - Billy Cooke 1/1, Lochlann Davies 1/2
TEAMS
ENDEAVOUR SPORTS HIGH
1. Dylan Hema 2. Jaiden French 3. Lajuan Vito 4. James Roach 5. Te Wehi Waitere 6. Callum Perryman 7. Iverson Matai 25. Izayah Tuigamala 9. Kobie Wilson 10. Joshua Finau 11. Sam Jinks 12. Billy Burke 13. Lachlan Gibbs BENCH: 14. Tully Wilton 8. Chase Roberts 16. Selwyn Smith 17. Dranza Hawe-De Thierry 18. Kynan Hodges 19. Blake Canavan 20.Thomas Siumaka
ILLAWARRA SPORTS HIGH
1. Lochlann Davies 2. Yasan Hammad 3. Jack Piccirilli 4. Te Heremaia-Tukere 5. Devante Te Ahuru 6. Junior Amone (c) 7. Viliami Mahe 8. Tahj Amone 9. Billy Cooke 10. Mana Dermott-Hopa 11. Malakai Oxley 12. Josh Williams 13. Dilan Asanoski BENCH: 14. Ryan Lear 15. Zaak Marbani 16. Nuku Vatuvei 17. Onike Sosaia-Burgess 18. Toby Scotcher 19.
Keagan Cawsey
BASKETBALL ON HOLD AS TE AHURU REKINDLES LOVE OF LEAGUE
By Jocely Airth
Devante Te Ahuru hasn’t played a game of rugby league for three years.
On Friday, he will start on the wing for Illawarra Sports High in their NRL Schoolboy Cup quarter-final against Endeavour Sports High.
“Dante is an exceptional athlete,” Illawarra Sports High head coach Alex Melville said.
“He ended up choosing basketball over rugby league, but he’s making a comeback. We approached him the other day because we were short on wingers, and he’s just relished the opportunity to represent his school one more time.”
WATCH THE REPLAY
QUARTER-FINAL 1: Pats Blacktown vs St Greg’s
QUARTER-FINAL 2: Hills Sports vs Holy Cross
QUARTER-FINAL 3: St Dominic’s vs Westfields Sports
Te Ahuru (pictured) played footy at the Dapto Canaries for five years until he decided to pursue basketball.
The Year 12 student, however, has been unable to represent his school this year due to COVID-19.
“I started watching a lot of basketball,” Te Ahuru said. “I grew a bit taller, I thought maybe I could use my height to my advantage.
“But the past year, I was watching my little brother play footy and I started to miss the sport.
“So when I got the opportunity
to play rugby league again, I
took it.”
Te Ahuru, who is also Illawarra’s outgoing school captain, said that preparing for the quarter-final had been a healthy distraction from HSC examinations.
“It’s thrilling, it’s really good to be back.” Te Ahuru said.
“We’re looking pretty good for our first training session together. We’re getting to know each other.”
Illawarra will make its first Schoolboy Cup appearance on Friday, having progressed through round one with a forfeit.
The side will be
led by Year 12 student Junior Amone, a five-eighth who is contracted with St George
Illawarra for next year.
“Junior will go straight into the Dragons’ NRL program after the HSC finishes when pre-season starts,” Melville said. “Junior played in the Steelers’ 2019 SG Ball premiership-winning side. He’s enthusiastic, competitive a real attacking threat.”
While Illawarra hasn’t played much footy this year, Endeavour Sports High head coach Brad Kelly has warned his team not to be complacent.
“After seeing the last couple of games, we’re not underestimating anyone,” Kelly said.
“There were a couple of upsets there in the previous quarter-finals, so I’ve been reinforcing to the boys that we need to be ready for anything.
“I think these boys played Illawarra a couple of years ago when they were younger, and Illawarra beat us.”
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