2025 Peter Mulholland Cup live stream: Erindale College v Illawarra Sports High, Round 1

A clinical performance from Erindale ensured the Raiders started their Peter Mulholland Cup campaign off on the right track against Illawarra SHS on Wednesday. Watch the REPLAY here.

A slow grind of a game has proven to Erindale that good things come to those that wait.

Erindale made it difficult for Illawarra to get in the game from the start, winning 42-10, with the battle going in the Canberra schools favour.

Sticking to a disciplined and structured game plan, Erindale peppered Illawarra’s left edge with eventually crossing through winger Kuluni Vaipuna.

The Raiders Harold Matt’s winger wasn’t finished there however, going back to what worked for him to start the game almost immediately after.

Erindale continued to chip away through the middle of the field with hard running and physical defence, eventually leading to Vaipuna Raiders teammate Jack Milne crossing under the black dot.

With fatigue setting into the match, the halves of Erindale started to take over with no. 7 Jamie Cowling bagging a try before sending powerhouse centre Peila Sial over for one for his own.

Cowling turned his attention to opening up room for his five-eighth soon after, putting a hard grubber kick behind the line which caught Illawarra napping, leading to Troy Codey diving on the ball just before the deadball line.

The margin continued to grow with Erindale finding holes all over the field through fullback Kruger Roache and interchange front rower Dempsey Woolf crossing for four pointers.

Illawarra were able to put a few sets together towards the back end of the second half scoring through a crash ball from Mason Andrews, and a brilliant effort from hooker Will Noyce.

PREVIEW

The kick off to another Peter Mulholland Cup campaign can’t come fast enough for schoolboy powerhouse Erindale College.

Eight months on from missing last year’s grand final after they surrendered a 14-point lead to Endeavour, the boys from Canberra are eager for redemption.

Packed with local stars and regional talent, co-coach Rourke O’Sullivan is optimistic heading into the opening round clash with Illawarra Sports High on Wednesday, May 7.

And you can catch all the action – including another three games from Ringrose Park – live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 10am.

“It’s a different squad, but I know the boys who were there were disappointed,” said O’Sullivan, who recently guided Canberra to the third week of the SG Ball finals and will share the coaching duties with Raiders Jersey Flegg coach Jordan Macey.

“Educating the boys is important, but it is a balancing act. We obviously want to be successful as a school.

“Our squad includes players from the Canberra region, the Riverina and from other areas of country NSW, so we expect to be a tough team.”

Jamie Cowling, in action for the Raiders, returns at halfback for Erindale this campaign. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

With a key playmaker already aligned to the Raiders pathways, and a wealth of talent from the Monaro Colts Laurie Daley Cup squad, Erindale is once again predicted to be in the title mix.

“Jamie Cowling returns at halfback, he played SG Ball this year with Kruger Roache, who is one to watch in the outside backs,” said O’Sullivan.

“Jamie is a big one for us, he moved down from Goulburn a couple of years ago and will partner Troy Codey who was also part of the squad last year.”

In the pack, O’Sullivan highlighted another regional recruit now under the watchful eye of the Raiders.

Troy Codey. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

“Jack Milne made the move to Erindale from Parkes last year, he’s a clever lock and another making his way through the Monaro program,” he said.

Last season Illawarra SHS failed to advance beyond the pool stage, but with access to a proven pool of talent, O’Sullivan is expecting to face a far stronger outfit.

“Illawarra should be a challenge. A large chunk of their players come from the Dragons squad that won this year’s Laurie Daley Cup grand final,” he said.

“We’ll be preparing to put our best foot forward, making sure we get our combinations in order.”

ERINDALE v ILLAWARRA

Erindale

1. Kruger Roache, 2. Kuluni Vaipuna, 3. Peila Siale, 4. Benjamin Kami, 5. Kye Anderson, 6. Troy Codey, 7. Jamie Cowling, 8. Kodi Roberts, 9. Jack Leighton, 10, Byron Cahill, 11. Sam Green, 12. Geordie Amaiu, 13. Jack Milne, 14. Joaz Ayamiseba, 15. Patrick Koen, 16. Dempsey Woolf, 17. Harry Sawyer, 18. Blake Slater

Illawarra

2. Hunter Jago, 4. Drtanyon Vaivai, 5. Will Simpson, 6. Jordie Barlow, 8. Mace Scofield, 9. Will Noyce, 10. Mason Andrews, 11. Karpz Karaitiana, 12. Cruz King, 13. Seluki Halangahu, 14. Kahuitara Te Ra Chase, 15. Cruz McGuinness, 16. Mataahu Chase, 18. Preston Sager

Originally published as 2025 Peter Mulholland Cup live stream: Erindale College v Illawarra Sports High, Round 1