Junior representative rugby league Rd 7: Harvey Norman U17 epic wets the appetite for semi-final football as Burleigh books their ticket
The Connell Cup semi-finalists have been decided following Burleigh’s bruising win against Redcliffe and Norths’ shutout victory over Tweed on Monday. More here on how Rd 7 unfolded.
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The Connell Cup semi-finalists have been decided following Burleigh’s bruising win against Redcliffe and Norths’ shutout victory over Tweed on Monday.
Burleigh won 40-18 and Norths 36-0, meaning the Devils have knocked Tweed out of finals contention. The Bears will front up against ladder-leaders Wynnum Manly this Sunday.
The Cutters and Falcons will play on Saturday to see who progresses to the big dance.
At Kayo Stadium, Burleigh led 16-4 at oranges before going on with the job to win convincingly after right wing Isaac Fidock (two tries) added the exclamation mark to a stunning performance under lights.
Redcliffe put up a great fight but Burleigh’s bruising defence, safe handling and ability to keep play alive paved the way for a three-try-to-one first half and subsequent finals berth after maintaining the rage well into the second half.
Bustling right centre Simione Tauelangi, agile left edge forward Treleque Boyce-Silimaka and pacy left wing Fynn Laffranchi each scored tries to have Burleigh in the box seat heading into the second stanza.
Laffranchi’s wing partner, the light-footed Fidock, had a handful of positive touches as well in a Bears-dominated first 30 minutes which also saw ballplaying No.13 Tupou Francis, prop Tyrell Schwenke and five-eighth Harvey Smith influence the game in different ways.
Fidock’s effective first-half touches foreshadowed a fantastic second half display from the Somerset College speedster where he ran rampant down the right touchline.
After Boyce-Silimaka and Francis had fought through contact to land tries for the visitors, Fidock struck like the flash to score two tries in as many minutes and pull clear from the Dolphins.
Elite fullback Cornelius Kelsall, a side-stepping whiz from Keebra Park, Tauelangi and crafty No.7 Smith were key in the lead-up play that led to Fidock’s four-pointers.
Smith, who missed just one of his seven attempts at goal, twice made flat passes to his right which helped give Fidock a slight head start on his rivals.
That was all he needed to gather a full head of steam before performing his trademark right-foot step to evade the last line of defence.
To score his first try Fidock evaded one defender before outlasting two others as he motored to the tryline.
It was an exhilarating finish to a fantastic game which also saw towering wing Jonathan Alo shine for Redcliffe.
He set up the first try to Seuifalemua Seuao when he outleaped his rival and then scored the final try (57th).
In between, the likes of Reco Naitini, Hanipale Sosene, Siai Papani, Israel Faialaga and Lennox Ngata-Faofua (all forwards) muscled up to send traffic back Burleigh’s way.
Down the M1 in Tweed, the Seagulls were out enthused by a hungry Devils outfit which raced to a 26-nil half time lead and quickly quelled the hosts’ finals hopes.
Tweed lifted their standards in the second half but the damage was done and Norths finished on top 36-0.
Devils hooker Lisiate Fa’aoso had his hand in three of four first half tries. He scored the first, passed to Harry Bate who scored the second and then was key in a backline shift which resulted in the team’s fourth when Eli Rauluni scored.
The play started one metre in from the right touchline and finished in the left corner where Rauluni crashed over after the ball was touched by Ben Hanning, Hayden Madders, Fa’aoso, Timahna Tandy and impressive left centre Ethan Grimshaw.
Right edge forward Billy Spicer scored the other try which all but ensured Norths would finish their campaign on a high note away from home.
The boys in sky blue saved their best for last. The swarming defence of Hanning and his accomplice Sangwani Chinula (centre), assurity of Tandy and Madders, work rate of Hayden Polson and Harry Bate (both props) and involvement of forwards Spicer, Taoso Taoso and Lincoln Dalton prevented Tweed from hitting their stride.
Seagulls captain Kobi Hauraki and both props Josiah Fa’aoso and Viliami Fifita battled hard to no avail.
Norths’ defensive intensity was highlighted best late in the second half when Ashton Taylor, Dalton and Bate combined in a tackle to force a knock on.
Unrelenting would be the word to best describe the effort of Norths. That effort was eclipsed in the 60th minute when a deft crossfield kick from Tandy was gobbled up and scored by Rauluni.
SUNDAY’S MATCHES
Meninga Cup maestro David Bryenton left no greater impression on Souths’ 46-10 win over the Falcons than in the dying moments when he had the awareness, class, and execution to pull off something few players think of doing.
After orchestrating a 46-10 scoreline, five-eight Bryenton approached the halfway mark and set up the ball for a kick restart after Tristan Roselt had scored for the Falcons. He deceptively chipped it forward 10 metres and was first in best dressed.
He picked the ball up on his bootlaces before jinking around four tacklers and was brought to ground 10m shy of the tryline. While Souths did not score in that set, it was no less impressive.
15 minutes earlier Bryenton’s footwork led to a similar fate for Falcons defenders when he maneuvered past six players before unloading to fleet-footed fullback Saia Poese, who scored his second try.
That was the seventh of eight tries produced by a Magpies outfit on such a roll the last time they lost was on March 1 when they were bested by Burleigh on the coast.
Since then Souths have won three in a row and showed in the 36-point trumping of the Sunshine Coast they are sensational when at their best.
Bryenton, a fullback thriving at No.6, converted seven of eight shots at goal to spearhead Souths towards a half century at Davies Park.
The sledgehammer defence of right centre Finn Kendall, bench impact of Lehi Thomas and Jackson Howe, energy of No.13 Jayden Solien and unsung efforts of Nehemiah Vavau (halfback) and Pale Feauunati (prop) went a long way in shutting down the Falcons.
TOWNSVILLE VS. WYNNUM MANLY
The blistering Blackhawks turned BMD Kougari Oval into their personal playground as the visitors ran riot with seven tries to win 38-14 over the Seagulls.
The visitors conceded the first try before scoring six tries on the trot to take the wind out of Wynnum and have victory sewn up at oranges when they led 20-6.
Wynnum, spearheaded by Tom Morcom (centre) and Cooper Day (lock) rallied hard late into the game and scored two tries as a reward but the damage had been done.
Blackhawks weapon Loranza Fono then landed the final blow to add the exclamation point when dummyhalf Ethan Rains fed the ferocious forward a crisp ball approaching full time.
Townsville got plenty from their bench players Kyhnaan Kennedy and Eneliko Savelio and even more from tone-setting forwards Terence Mosby, Sitiveni Afu and Fono.
Both Mosby and Kyle Bader played 65 minutes as starting props.
In the halves, Kynan Purdy and Jye Olsen’s match management led to winger Bruce Baudu scoring twice, while fullback Karlos Iraia also shone.
BLISTERING BLACKHAWKS
Townsville landed two sensational tries to stun the home side and lead 16-6 approaching half time.
After hooker Preston Cassidy had scored (8th) for Wynnum, the visitors scored three tries in 15 minutes and highlights of the latter two should be hung in the Louvre so impressive were they.
Right wing Bruce Baudu snuck around his opponent and, while in the air, planted the ball down with his right hand to score the first of two pearlers. Five-eight Kynan Purdy put in the grubber, after both Heath Bethel and Kyler Bader had released the ball while smothered and falling to ground.
Left edge forward Zane Bethel, Heath’s brother, was responsible for the next one which he could argue was even better than the first.
A left-to-right step from halfback and captain Jye Olsen severed the Wynnum line and he passed to his left to Bethel who was steaming through.
Bethel caught the ball on his lat and elbow, his fingertips barely getting a touch as he rolled towards the stripe. Somehow, he maintained possession as defenders swarmed him on both sides and the Kirwan enforcer was over.
AT THEIR BEST
The Blackhawks beat Wynnum out of the gates but the boys from up north showed no intentions of resting on their laurels.
To capture a telling 20-6 half time lead, winger Baudu bagged his second try as the siren went.
Impressive No.6 Purdy, whose kicking game and control made a difference alongside Olsen, cut out two of his backs to put the ball on Baudu’s chest and gift him a four-pointer.
It followed a superb stint of footy by Townsville approaching half time where left centre Sam Griffin was unlucky not to be rewarded a try (ruled a knock on) when he spun out of a tackle and crashed over.
MOSBY MADNESS
The visitors continued to reign supreme after the break. Relentless middle forward Terence Mosby importantly struck first to make it 26-6 when he caught the ball 20m out and finished reaching his right arm out to score under the posts.
The compact Mosby, fortified by headgear, stepped off his right foot twice and propelled himself past the last line of defence to land Townsville’s fifth try and spark wild celebrations from his teammates.
Hooker Kyhaan Kennedy, the first there to congratulate Mosby, was next to strike as Townsville pulled clear with 27 minutes left.
The little dynamo took his chances from the ruck base and came out on top to score his team’s sixth successive try (32-6).
SATURDAY’S MATCHES
SOUTHS V TIGERS
HARVEY 17S
Tigers U17 hooker Enah Desic and Carayanidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu were sensational as they helped drag their side from an 6-18 deficit to an 18-18 draw and knock Souths Logan out of the competition.
The epic encounter finished with the Tigers drawing level despite Souths Logan scoring four tries to three. The result sets up a likely finals bout involving Tigers, Tweed, Capras and possibly Falcons.
Both hookers Desic (Tigers) and Okalani Compton (Souths Logan) produced performances for the ages, with Desic’s impressive goal kicking in atrocious conditions the difference.
The second half performance of Tigers prop Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu also swayed momentum her team’s way, with her extraordinary individual try past five defenders a big moment in the game.
The battle between hookers Desic and Compton, and middle forwards Sienna Trew, Mamele Misa, Alessana Betham (all Souths Logan) and Tigers trio Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, Te Ahurei
Latu and Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu (all Tigers) was something to behold. It was stuff legends are made of in heavy, wet conditions.
DESIC AND COMPTON - TAKE A BOW
The two No. 9s were utterly amazing. Both resplendent in pink headgear, they stood out like markers in the Moreton Bay shipping channel as they ran with gusto from the ruck, tackled front on or covered across the field.
The pair’s handling from dummy half was also remarkable given they were often picking the ball up out of boot high puddles.
Desic’s first half covering tackle on Souths Logan centre Afeena Faamafu also saved a try, while she deservedly crossed to score in the second half.
CARAYANIDIS’ TRY OF THE MATCH
The Tigers were down 18-6 with 15 minutes remaining when Ta’Akimoeaka inspired her side with a powerhouse try.
She seemed held by four defenders, but still she marched forward before spinning out of the pack of players and then past another defender to score.
It was a huge moment in the match.
SOUTHS LOGAN’S PACK
Although the Magpies lost its 18-6 advantage, it was through no fault of their pack.
Throughout the game Souths Logan’s forwards attacked with their defence, trying to reduce the momentum of the Tigers’ forwards.
They also swarmed in numbers in an attempt to knock the Tigers’ power players off their feet and slow down the speed of the ruck.
Sienna Trew’s rampaging first half try was just one of the highlights of the Magpies’ effort, while the defence of Biarnka Joyce and Betham was stinging.
THE FIRST HALF
The Magpies lead 12-6 at halftime, having had the better of the field position which was reflected in the Souths Logan side scoring three tries - and having another disallowed.
Souths Logan started in enterprising fashion given the conditions, with five-eight Bella Alo on the receiving end of rushed ball movement through the hands of Jada Waerea and Peytton entholt
Sienna Trew then angled a run toward the edge of the ruck, barrelling over the top of forlorn rivals.
Then a golden passing movement on a gloomy day lit up Williams Oval, with Marmie Nati, Alessana Betham, Mamele Misa, Bella Alo, Biarnka Joyce and Peytton Wentholt all handling on the way to winger Jada Waerea crossing.
CONNELL CUP
Tigers winger Toetu Misipati Toetu scored an 85m intercept try and then watched Mikaere Barnes kick a sideline conversion in the rain to snare a 20-all draw in the Connell Cup.
The Tigers came back from a 14-nil deficit to snatch a tie, with middle forwards Kingzen
Lefono and Josaiah Lo put in big performances for their side.
Souths Logan looked like they would win comfortably after starting strongly.
Centre VJ Letalu was a powerhouse on both sides of the ball, and early on his quick play the ball gave his ruck runner, winger Christopher Vaimili Toalepai, some momentum to work off.
This break led to Toalepai slicing through and sending his fullback Jeremiah Toko on a 50m run to the line.
But the Tigers’ grit was emphasised by Lo who put his body on the line to save a certain try - one of several enormous goal line saves by the home side.
Take nothing away from the Tigers who, led by No.13 Jonah Wilde, displayed plenty of get up and go when all seemed lost on a field which was flooded with water.
Under age winger Toetu Misipati Toetu, who scored the long distance try, also did plenty of work in difficult conditions.
TIGERS COMEBACK
Souths Logan prop Cordell Kirk scored a bumping, thumping props’s try to take his side to a 20-10 advantage which, in the rain, looked like a winning break.
But the Tigers recovery in shocking conditions was a result of the effort of their pack - and a piece of individual brilliance by halfback Kingsley Bray.
On the cusp of halftime Bray chased his own grubber kick into the in-goal to score, and at 14-6 the home side were back in the match.
Middle men Lefono and Lo were then enormous in the conditions, and it was off the back of that pair that the Tigers started to shade their rivals.
Bray’s wonderful handling in the rain then led to his team’s third try by Toalepai, and trailing 20-14 the Tigers found a third wind.
OUT OF COOK’S SHADOW
Magpies’ centre Tomo Cook is a mighty player, but it was his fellow centre Letalu who had a big match against the Tigers.
He denied the Tigers a try by remarkable last ditch defence, somehow holding Arjay-Troy Sharrock up over the line.
Later in the match Letalu saved the day again, with his covering effort to scoop up a kick ahead, preventing a certain try under the posts.
He was tremendous for Souths Logan, while Jeremiah Toko also threatened at times and winger Vita Filo used his frame well in the conditions.
CUTTERS v TIGERS
MENINGA CUP
Pouakai Jackson-Williams was a match winner as the Tigers climbed off the canvas to beat the Cutters 24-22 in Mackay.
The Tigers hit the lead for the first time with minutes to play after five-eight Jackson-Williams delivered the pass of the round to enable his winger Harry Armstrong to score.
It was a gutsy ball to pass in the wet, but fortune favoured the brave as Armstrong expertly finished in a slipper left hand corner.
Gritty Tigers twice came back from 10 point deficits to snatch the victory, with Jackson-Williams’ DNA all over the win.
The No.6 also scored a dramatic blindside try from a scrum win, and also giving the last pass for Jackson Connor to score.
THE TIGERS COMEBACK
But the Tigers have been a resilient team, and their recovery to trail 6-10 and then 14-16 would have surprised few.
Initially fullback Jaffahl Skillington put Jackson Connor into a gap, leading to Quinn Timperon crossing, and then it was that man Connor who had a hand in another, storming onto a Pouakai Jackson-Williams pass and doing it all himself to score.
Jackson-Williams then capped his team’s first half recovery by blasting over from 22m out after sprinting to a wide blindside following a scrum win.
DOYLE’S 70M SENSATION
Joseph Doyle scored a sensational 70m try to open the scoring after a left side shift had caught fire courtesy of Flynn Battaia’s cross field run.
He linked with Doyle who sprinted away, slowed and dummied which fooled the defence, and then back his speed in a foot race to the line.
Later in the half Doyle backed up that try with a second when he gathered a clever chip kick by Joshua Toby to cross again.
And to cap it all, he fielded a bomb and unloaded the ball to his second row partner Declan Grady who strode over. Doyle is having a big season for Mackay.
CAPRAS v CLYDESDALES
MENINGA CUP
What started as a coin flip contest quickly turned into a landslide result for the Capras over the Clydesdales in round seven at Victoria Park.
The home side were stunned in the opening 15 minutes when the Darling Downs side scored three unanswered tries.
The back foot pressure was far too much for the Capras to handle until a sneaky short side effort helped Central Queensland find the scoreboard and follow it up with four straight tries of their own.
With the scoreboard reflecting 22-22 with 25 minutes to go it seemed like a match in the making, but the Capras blitzed their opposition with seven second half tries.
The Capras impressed their home fans with a dominant 60-22 result.
DIFFERENCE MAKER
After finding themselves 18-0 down in a matter of moments something needed to change for the Capras and much of it was thanks to their No.14 Banjo Walker.
The crafty utility slotted in the middle of the park and despite his size he ran with plenty of intent and injected a much-needed boost for the Capras forward pack.
His first half try, thanks to some spinning and weaving, helped his side get their confidence back and he added to his tally with another four pointer in the second half.
Walker was well supported by his hooker Curtis Seierup, left edge second rower Jai Ireland and interchange forward Callum Denman.
Winger Zakkaree Jenkyn was also solid with two tries of his own.
UNSUSTAINABLE BLITZ
The Clydesdales looked like they could do no wrong in the opening 15 minutes with some highly silky attacking play.
Any defensive effort wasn’t required as their attack let rip but a good flight back from the Capras forced the Clydesdales back into their shells.
Hooker Jacob Mundy was impressive for his side complemented by a try and a stunning try assist in the first half.
The visiting side also lost fullback Adam Davis to a concussion early in the first half as well, fingers crossed all is okay.
DEVILS v PRIDE
MENINGA CUP
Just all class.
When the going got tough and the rain continued to hammer down, the Devils 17 stood tall to grab a 38-12 victory over the Northern Pride.
In extremely tricky conditions for both teams, the muddy field
and non-stop rain made it a congested but attacking first half.
The Pride kicked away early before the Devils took a 20-12 lead into the break and continued their scoring trajectory in the second half.
The Devils have experienced a patchy season in terms of results but this win moves them closer to a finals spot and a testing game against the unbeaten Mackay Cutters next week.
UNSTOPPABLE CHARLIE
Once again the crafty lock showed why he looks a step ahead of his age group with a standout performance at home.
It hardly looked like Norths No.13 Dickson was playing in the same miserable conditions as everyone else.
His hard and aggressive running style allowed him to bounce off tackle attempts like a pinball and just when you thought he’d be close to being wrapped up his subtle footwork allowed him to gain some extra metres or pass the ball away to his outside men.
A solo try in the second half helped cap off his standout performance.
CALM AND CONTROLLED
It was somewhat of a slow start for the Devils but once they adjusted to the conditions and kept their hand on the footy they were just too smart to stop.
A great second half display from five-eight Carter Welfare and halfback Jahrel Iselin-Jansen allowed their Devils teammates to take a step back and fill the gaps where necessary.
Both players executed their long and short kicking game well and their attacking decisions close to the line was highly promising.
Their performance was tied in nicely when Iselin-Jansen broke away from the Pride defenders, put the foot down before offloading to Welfare to score near the uprights and seal the win.
Norths right edge second rower Duquan Talaepa and left centre Robertson Tusi Tofu were also strong in both attack and defence.
For the Pride their prop forward duo Mafiou Cherif and Kaiden Lahrs performed well.
Originally published as Junior representative rugby league Rd 7: Harvey Norman U17 epic wets the appetite for semi-final football as Burleigh books their ticket
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