Schoolboy Cup R2: Patrician Brothers Fairfield defeat Holy Cross College 20-18

Joshua Alhazim produced the clutch play in the final minutes to deliver Fairfield Patrician Brothers a thrilling victory against Holy Cross College. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Joshua Alhazim scored a gritty last-minute try to secure Patrician Brothers Fairfield a thrilling 20-18 victory over Holy Cross College in Round 2 of the NRL Schoolboy Cup.

The nailbiting contest ended in heartbreak for the home side, who had just edged ahead and looked set to steal the win. But Alhazim — a Parramatta Eels Harold Matthews star — refused to give up and barged over to seal the deal for Patties.

“Those last minutes, we knew we could do it. It was a grind, we kept talking and we worked for each other. That’s what got us the win,” Alhazim said.

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“We’ve been sending a message since Round 1, we’re coming, we’re coming for that Cup,

“I’m proud of the forward pack, they led from the front. Without them this game would have gone either way.”

Patrician Brothers Fairfield celebrate a try in their narrow win against Holy Cross College. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Patties’ Jordan Miller was formidable up the middle. The Magpies Harold Matts prop said he tried to channel his NRL idol Nelson Asofa-Solomona throughout the match.

“I told the boys to keep their heads up, we were still in it. I tried to get us on the front foot with strong runs,” Miller said. “The boys have come a long way, I feel very appreciative, the boys just grinded it out.”

Holy Cross’ own prop Jaxson Rahme was a handful throughout and scored a vital second half try. Five-eighth Ati Teaupa was also dangerous.

The atmosphere at Ryde was nothing short of electric.

Holy Cross’ passionate gladiator mascot revved up the home crowd, while Patties fans beat drums all night.

After initial nerves settled, the boys from Fairfield opened the scoring via flyer Sam Samani who dived over on the left.

Minutes later he crashed over again to extend his school’s lead to 8-0.

Then it was Holy Cross’ debutant Cooper Wheelhouse, who stepped up. The young hooker scored a strong try from dummy half, off the back of a blistering break by second rower Will Carroll.

Tries to Corey Akers and Ati Teaupa saw Patties ahead 14-12 at half time.

Play seesawed in the second half, as both teams struggled to find the line.

Holy Cross’ skipper Rahme barged over thanks to a beautiful offload by Sione Latoa Vaih to push Holy Cross in front for the first time 18-14.

The final minutes saw both no.7s sin-binned and 12 on 12 went at it.

Both teams were courageous in defence but, in the end, it was Fairfield’s skipper Alhazim who crashed over in the last two minutes.

Taj’h Colquhoun slotted the conversion to ice his school’s thrilling 20-18 victory.

Holy Cross College were brave in defeat against Fairfield Patrician Brothers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NRL SCHOOLBOY CUP - TEAM LISTS ROUND 2

Holy Cross College

Dion Lendon

Cameron Kanaan

Savi Moala

Angus Gray

Max Braham

Ati Teaupa

Aaron Kurnoth

Vako Aho

Cooper Wheelhouse

Jaxson Rahme (c)

Will Carroll

Ryan Swain

Sione Latoa Vaihu

Andrew Mussillo

Keenan Lawandos

Michael Geddes

Wilkinson Papalii

Coach: Tim White

Trainers: John McLaughlin (Orange Shirt), Michael Gabreal, Michael Lorenti

Patrician Brothers Fairfield

Taj’h Colquhoun

Godfrey Ilavalu  

Sione Lolohea

Perosi Papalii

Sam Samani

Chad Daniels

Terence Lafai

Matthew Alhazim

Yeyha Ayache (c)

Jordan Miller

Corey Ackers

Joshua Alhazim (c)

Bailey Myers

Joshua Vilarosa

Massimo Mari

Billy Arena

Victor Alofaki

Jack Leigh

Joshua Veleika

Coach: Frank Pritchard

AssistantCoach: Lino Salafai Trainers: Mitchell

Trainers: Mitchell Tyler (Orange Shirt), Adam Rafferty (Yellow Shirt), Lino Salafai (Blue Shirt)