Tweed Seagulls defeat Illawarra Steelers in under-18 national final

Tweed Seagulls have left no doubt about their credentials as the best under-18 side in Australia.

TWEED Seagulls have left no doubt about their credentials as the best under-18 side in Australia.

The Seagulls defeated the NSW Rugby League champions, Illawarra, in a commanding win at Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe.

Tweed ran in eight tries in the 48-14 victory.

Impressive Palm Beach Currumbin State High playmaker Toby Sexton scored 20 points in the match, crossing for a try and kicking eight goals.

Tweed didn’t open the scoring until the 28th minute via Xavier Coates, who benefited from a pinpoint Sexton kick.

Four-pointers to Brendan Piakura and Caleb Hodges then helped open up an 18-4 lead by halftime.

Under-18 national champions Tweed. Picture: SMP Images

The Seagulls ran away with it after the break as Coates scored again, ace fullback Reece Walsh notched a second half double and Josh Bevan found the line.

Sexton scored the final try under the posts in a fitting finish.

Tweed coach Tim Maccan cut a proud figure after the triumph.

“They saved their best performance for last,” he said.

“We spoke during the week how it was going to take a huge team effort to win this game and they showed that.

Under-18 national champions Tweed. Picture: SMP Images

“Our team really stood up and showed the country how good we are.”

In comments to QRL Media, Maccan added: “We have some very good individual players and it was about us trying to work out the best way to turn them into a very good team and how to use those strengths across the team.

“Our starting front-rowers Ben Liyou and Solomon Torrens, kids that some people haven’t heard of, they are great kids and showed that they are quality front-rowers.

“We have guys on the bench like James Torrens and Issy Higgins - he’s only 17 - but they have been doing a really good job, so those lesser known players have really stepped up.”

Tweed became the first Queensland team since Townsville in 2014 to win the national under-18 decider.