Schoolboy rugby league under 15 replay: Watch Combined Independent Schools v Combined High Schools
CHS was too strong for CIS in today’s U15 Schoolboy rugby league clash – and it was a stunning Luke Laulilii try that got things going. Watch the video and full replay.
Schoolboy Cup Livestream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schoolboy Cup Livestream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It took almost four hours for Molong Central School backrower Bailey Peschka to get to St Mary’s but he and his CHS teammates took just 30 minutes to down CIS in a 22-6 victory in the second match of the Under 15s Schoolboy Championships tri-series.
Peschka scored two tries in an excellent display on the right edge and was busy on both sides of the ball as CHS ran out to a 22-0 lead at halftime against an out of sorts CIS.
Currently contracted to the Dragons, Peschka had a vocal contingent of supporters in tow who travelled down from the central west on the day.
“I’ve got my mum, my nan, my auntie, my other auntie, my dad and my brother all here. Most of them came down this morning,” Peschka said.
“The footy in Molong isn’t quite as hard as this but it’s close sometimes. I’m signed with the Dragons and footy is my passion, I’ve wanted to be an NRL player since I was five.
“I just tried to support my players and let them know I was there and I got them.”
It was a strong bounceback from CHS after their loss to CCC in the tournament opener on Tuesday.
Damaging CHS frontrower Simione Laifai was another standout performer, as was CHS fullback Luke Laulilii, who was named his side’s man of the match.
“Luke was really strong in the first game and I thought he was better again today. He runs the ball really tough and his backfield carries are very strong,” CHS coach Adam Blake said.
“I thought our prop, Jett Woodward, has been really strong on both days, he was always willing to take it forward and find his front. I thought our nine, Aaron Keppie, was great as well.”
Hulking frontrower Edwin Langi had a fine game in a beaten side for CIS and was deservedly named his side’s most valuable player.
Laulilii opened the scoring after he picked up the scraps from a dropped bomb and finished with a spectacular dive in the corner that any of the NRL’s best finishers would have been proud to call their own.
An aerial assault was the order of the day with CHS crossing again within minutes after Connor Votano found centre Jayze Tuigamala with a pinpoint cross kick and the Endeavour Sports High student made no mistake with the finish.
Next it was the other centre, the impressive Lancelot Tovio, who claimed another Votano bomb and flicked a spectacular offload to Bailey Peschka.
Peschka grabbed his second just before the break after halfback Kade Reed took on the defense close to the line before popping an offload to the rampaging second rower to score untouched.
CIS dug in after halftime but despite enjoying a glut of possesion they could not find the killer blow.
Their only try came in the moments before fulltime when centre Casey McLean snagged an intercept on his own 30 metre line and was corralled by the cover defense close to the line.
The Newington product slipped a pass to Xavier Singh in support to cross next to the posts.
■ WATCH THE UNDER 18 ACTION HERE
FULL SQUADS
Combined Independent Schools Under 15’s
1 Mitchell Woods, St Patricks College Strathfield
2 Heamasi Makasini, Newington College
3 Onitoni Large, The Scots College
4 Casey McLean, Newington College
5 Charlie Poynton, St Augustine’s College
6 Joe Walsh, St Augustine’s College
7 Alex Conti, St Patricks College Strathfield
8 Edwin Langi, The Kings School
9 Jaxon Allen, Cranbrook School
10 Toby Brial, The Scots College
11 Luke Wakefield, Oakhill College
12 Daniel Lua, Newington College
13 Chaice Bayley, Central Coast Sports College
14 Quinn Mersal, Newington College
15 Anthony Abdow, Oakhill College
16 Finnlay Bartlett, The Scots College
17 Luka Ponsonby, St Alloysius’ College
18 Lachlan Simpson, Central Coast Sport College
19 Sione-Na Lua, Georges River Grammar
20 Xavier Singh, Central Coast Sport College
Combined High Schools Under 15’s
1 Luke Laulalii, Westfields Sports High School
2 Breathan Bilich, Sydney SC Leichhardt
3 Jayze Tuigamala, Endeavour Sports High School
4 Lance Tevio, Westfields Sports High School
5 Yasin Kuscu, Randwick Boys High School
6 Bronson Emery, Endeavour Sports High School
7 Kade Reed, Illawarra Sports High School
8 Jett Woodward, Hunter Sports High School
9 Aaron Keppie, Picton High School
10 Somione Laiafi, The Hills Sports High School
11 Bailey Sigsworth, Brisbane Waters SC
12 Bailey Peschka, Molong SC
13 Hayden Buchanan, Kiama High School
14 Alex Isdale, Westfields Sports High School
15 Connor Votano, Hunter Sports High School
16 Blake Wardrobe, Engadine High School
17 Jerome Goddard, Bass High School
18 Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Endeavour Sports High School
19 Samual Vandermade, Ashcroft High School
20 Cooper Black, Nyngan High School
Join the conversation
How Barber’s sharp work has lined up a big future at Cowboys
It was the tackle-busting try that set the ASSRL Nationals alight, but the Cowboys know schoolboy recruit Mason Barber is more than just his highlight reel. Find out more.
Read more
Schoolboys stars giving Eels fans reason to hope
A new coach and a wealth of future talent at their disposal, long-suffering Eels fans can finally rejoice. Find out how they topped the NRL clubs in the Peter Mulholland Cup team of the season.
Read more