Langer Cup 2020: Titans rookie Tom Weaver shines in Palm Beach Currumbin win

Sterling play from debutant half Tom Weaver has led Palm Beach Currumbin to their first win of the Langer Cup season, defeating Ipswich State High School 22-10 on the Gold Coast.

Sterling play from debutant half Tom Weaver has led Palm Beach Currumbin to their first win of the Langer Cup season, defeating Ipswich State High School 22-10 on the Gold Coast.

Weaver scored the match’s opening try and set in motion prop Xavier Willison’s late clincher but his poise kicking strangled Ipswich’s large forward pack out of the game.

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The Titans-contracted 17-year-old added six points through three conversions to rack up a tally of 10 points, and the game’s deciding play in a 40m Willison runaway try to seal the victory.

Defending champions Palm Beach Currumbin (red) host runners up Ipswich State High in the opening round of the 2020 Langer Cup at Pizzey Park. Palm Beach Currumbin's Tom Weaver crossing over the line and Ipswich State High's Deijion Leugaimafa. Picture: Jerad Williams

Underdogs Ipswich were dogged opponents, frustrating the nine-NRL contracted players of their fancied opposition into uncharacteristic errors.

They are strong enough to upset many teams – their four-from-five run last year, including a 26-6 win over PBC, is evidence of that.

Ipswich threatened their own comeback to cut the game to six points before Tom Weaver broke the line, linking with Willison to finish off the PBC strike to push the final margin to 12 points.

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Rookie coach Brad Davis praised his side’s leaders for their composure in pulling clear of last year’s runners-up.

“It was a fantastic first game for the Reds (from Weaver),” he said.

“You see the quality of kid he is. He had excellent, classy touches of the footy and he made really good decisions good decisions on when to run to and when to take them on.

“More than anything it was his footy brain.

Defending champions Palm Beach Currumbin (red) host runners up Ipswich State High in the opening round of the 2020 Langer Cup at Pizzey Park. Palm Beach Currumbin's Flynn Daniel. Picture: Jerad Williams

“He’s more than up to this sort of level – he’s going to be great for us and we’re really excited for what we can build around him.”

Skipper Damon Sommerville crossed for two tries in a fine start to his third season in PBC’s top team, while fellow third-year Willison was his side’s spearhead in the forwards.

Injuries to star second-row Flynn Daniel and reserve prop Jake Kearton increased the workload for starters Willison, Brisbane Broncos, and Jack Cullen of the Titans, but both proved up to the task of increased minutes.

The win has set Palm Beach Currumbin’s title defence, chasing their first three-peat in school history, off to a flying start.

A strong start is even more critical in 2020 because only four schools will graduate through to the State Finals playoff instead of the usual six.

A win over last year’s runners-up is a step firmly in the right direction.

PBC 22 (Damon Sommerville (2), Xavier Willison, Tom Weaver tries; Tom Weaver 3 conversions) defeated Ipswich SHS 10 (Damien Burrows, Mason Pintegne tries; Mason Pintegne conversion)