NRL Schoolboy Cup: Quarter final match-ups confirmed as Farrer land shock reprieve
The NRL Schoolboy Cup quarter-finals have been confirmed with one school earning a shock reprieve after a withdrawal from the competition. CHECK OUT THE FULL DRAW
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Watch Replay: St Gregory’s College vs Bass High
Watch Replay: Westfields Sports High vs Patrician Brothers Fairfield
The quarter-final match ups for the NRL Schoolboy Cup have been confirmed with Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School granted a wildcard after St Edwards Gosford were forced to withdraw from the competition.
With little flexibility in fixtures due to the congested nature of the revised competition, player unavailability due to trial HSC exams and duty of care requirements regarding turnaround between matches, St Edwards reluctantly pulled out from the quarter-finals with Farrer to take their place against Westfields Sports High.
It is understood St Edwards did all they could to make the match happen, as did the NRL, but the logistical battles proved impossible to overcome.
“Our decision has been based around the timing of the game,” St Edwards coach Jason Carpenter said.
“The impact of the trial HSC exam period on senior students that make up the majority of the team means we will not have adequate time to prepare the students for such a big game.
“Many of these senior boys are not currently playing, due to the cancellation of the local senior competition.
“We thank the NRL for the invitation into the competition and wish all teams the very best in their coming knockout games.”
St Edwards downed Farrer 18-16 in their clash courtesy of an incredible, last-second, length of the field try to halfback Sandon Smith.
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Farrer was chosen to replace St Edwards not because they were their direct opponent in the previous round, but because their match was the closest of the opening round.
They are now expected to take on Westfields on Tuesday, September 1st in Cessnock with Westfields agreeing to meet the Tamworth-based school halfway.
The highlight will be the clash of the star five-eighths, Joseph O’Neill from Westfields and Farrer’s Mitchell Henderson — Henderson in particular is coming off a dazzling hat-trick in the loss to St Edwards.
Holy Cross Ryde, who won their only title back in 1981, will take two-time champions Hills Sports High on August 26th at Windsor Stadium.
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Mikey Tannous, who will spend the off-season training with the Tigers top squad, is the man to watch from Hills.
The second quarter final, between Illawarra Sports High and Endeavour Sports High, will be played on the same day as part of a double-header.
The following afternoon St Gregory’s College Campbelltown will face Patrician Brothers Blacktown at Kirkham Oval in Camden.
St Greg’s ran out 60-2 winners over Bass High in the opening round and will once again look for inspiration from star backrow duo Charlie Lennon and Cruise Tweedie.
Patrician Brothers will be after another composed display from halfback Jakob Arthur, son of Parramatta first grade coach Brad, after he steered them to victory in their victory over St Dominic’s earlier this week.
QUARTER FINAL DRAW
Wednesday 26th August, Windsor Stadium
Holy Cross Ryde vs Hills Sports — 10:30am
Illawarra Sports High vs Endeavour Sports — 1:30pm
Thursday, 27th August, Kirkham Park
Patrician Brothers, Blacktown vs St Gregory’s College — 1:00pm
Tuesday, 1st September, Cessnock Sports Ground
Westfields Sports High vs Farrer MAHS — kick-off TBC