Schoolboy Cup replay: Illawarra Sports High beat Erindale College in thriller

Illawarra Sports High has survived an almighty scare to beat Erindale College in the opening round of the Schoolboy Cup. WATCH THE REPLAY.

Steelers’ SG Ball young gun Viliame Mahe scooted over to score the matchwinning try in the dying minutes of Illawarra Sports High’s 26-22 NRL Schoolboy Cup win over Canberra’s Erindale College in Wollongong.

On the back of sustained pressure, hooker Mahe caught the defence napping when he crashed over from close range to seal a thrilling opening round victory at Collegians Stadium.

The win was even sweeter for Mahe given it came just 19 days after the Canberra Raiders beat his Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball grand final.

“Felt good to get the revenge win over them, but it was a good game, great job to Erindale they were very good” Mahe said.

ILLAWARRA SHS V ERINDALE COLLEGE: WATCH FULL REPLAY ABOVE OR HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

James Walsh touches down for Illawarra SHS again Erindale College at the Collegians Sports & Performance Centre in Figtree. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It felt hectic, everyone was jumping on me but I was cramping up, it had to happen,” Mahe said.

Mahe started things off for the hosts with a cut-out pass from dummy-half to put Ethan Cliff over for the first try.

The visitors hit straight back when rival No.9 Jack Anderson passed to rampaging winger Siamani Leuiluai to score.

Minutes later, Leuiluai broke the line again beating two Illawarra players to score his second in the corner.

When back-rower Ben McSpadden got sent to the sin bin for holding up the ruck, the hosts hit back courtesy of a lovely pass from fullback James Walsh to Cliff in for his second try to tie the game at 10-10.

Viliami Mahe. Picture: Jonathan Ng

James Walsh. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Despite having a player in the bin, the Canberra side hit the lead when five-eighth Jake Mercer stepped inside and passed to a flying Deekon Parsons who fell over the try line.

On the stroke of half time, Leuiluai managed to score an amazing try off the kick-off resulting in a first half hat-trick.

Down 10 at the break, Walsh said the coach’s message was to “lift our game, keep the intensity high and get more energy into the contest.”

The hosts needed to score the first try of the second half and they did when Walsh dived into the corner off a nice backline play.

Deekon Parsons celebrates scoring a try with Erindale College teammates. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Jack Anderson dishes from dummy half. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Down six points, the Illawarra side were threw everything at Erindale but couldn’t break the line.

The hosts scored again after James Walsh produced an amazing hit and spin reminiscent of Cody Walker to tie the game.

But just when Illawarra got back in the game, a costly penalty in front of goal allowed Erindale to extend their lead by a crucial two points.

When it all seemed over, Cliff saved a certain Erindale try that gave the hosts a glimmer of hope before Mahe struck.

TEAMS: Illawarra Sports High v Erindale College

Erindale College: 1. Regan Carr 2. Connor Harrison 3. Siamani Leuluai 4. William O’Malley 5. Alex Sweeney 6. Jake Mercer 7. Mitchell Evans 8. Ben Castle 9. Jack Anderson 10. Jordan Eti 11. Ben McSpadden 12. Deekon Parsons 13. Michael Asomua 14. Owen McCaughan 15. Sam Norris 16. James Andrew 17. Clinton Mauava 18. Trae Robinson-Beattie Coach: Ash Barnes Trainers: Mick Howard (Orange Shirt), Sebastian Gray (Yellow Shirt)

Illawarra SHS: 1. James Walsh 2. Samson wood 3. Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere 4. Ethan Cliff 5. Yazan Hammad 6. Jakai Dixon-Davis 7. Marley Cooke 8. Josh Williams 9. Viliami Mahe 10. Malakai Oxley 11. Viliami Amone 12. Nuku Vatuvei 13. Dilan Asanoski 14. Isaiah Hegadus 15. Leo Asanoski 16. Tristan Dawson 17. Keagan Cawsey 18. Toby Scotcher Coach: Nick O’Hara