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2025 NRL Schoolgirl Cup round 6 Players of the Day revealed after two thrillers

NRL Schoolgirl Cup Players of the Round revealed after two round 6 thrillers and a big win by Marsden SHS as teams position themselves for a tilt at the premiership.

Te-Rina Pearse and Leevi Williams of Stretton SC - the college is lucky to have them in the rugby league program.
Te-Rina Pearse and Leevi Williams of Stretton SC - the college is lucky to have them in the rugby league program.

Marsden State High School is hurtling towards a Queensland state final showdown with Keebra Park after dismantling hopefuls Palm Beach Currumbin nine tries to one at Tugun.

The Makos’ tub-thumping forward pack delivered the visitors to victory 40-4 and will leave their hosts to nurse a host of bruises at school for the rest of this week.

Elsewhere St James almost pinched a win from Stretton State College, before Stretton snuck home 28-26, while Keebra Park battled hard to a fabulous 12-6 win against Ipswich.

Keebra Park SHS were unbeaten so far this season, with the biggest threat most likely coming from Marsden SHS, although third placed Ipswich SHS will mount a challenge providing them make the finals.

SCHOOLGIRLS CUP REPLAYS

Marsden SHS v PBC SHS

Keebra Park SHS v Ipswich SHS

Stretton SC v St James

In Marsden’s 40-4 win over the Reds, PBC did well to contain Marsden for the opening 10 minutes before powerfully-built five-eighth Evelyn Roberts blasted over the tryline on the right edge to breach the floodgates.

Evelyn Roberts.
Evelyn Roberts.

Viewers of the KommunityTV livestream would have felt the force of every tackle through their screens.

Backrow enforcers Sienna Ibrahim, Rosa-Millan Lefono and RJ Henry-Purcell could well be the hardest hitting trio in the nation, with centre Namoe Gesa an honourable mention among that crew.

In concert with Queensland under-16 prop Carayannidis Ta’Akimoeaka-Pulu and her front-row rotation mates Mya Tronc, Biarnka Joyce and Elisa Asomua, Marsden’s 2025 forward pack may just rumble the school into a state decider.

Surpass Keebra Park – Queensland’s unbeaten favourites and 20-16 victors over Marsden in their past meeting – and a national final is within reach.

Playing behind a sledgehammer pack performance even Marsden’s slighter players could make their sting felt.

Left edge tandem Nikeisha Ngaru and Leilani Taofinuu showed off their speed and swerve to cross for first half tries.

Even the ball bounced Marsden’s way, with a speculator grubber from 20m out wobbled neatly into the arms of Ibrahim.

PBC did fight its way onto the scoreboard when fullback Isabella Brown wove through defenders to dot down from close range early in the second half.

That four-point cut into Marsden’s lead was just as quickly erased when Ibrahim waltzed in untouched for her second.

Centres Gesa and Taofinuu both crossed in the dying stages before Ata’Akimoeaka-Pulu crossed for one of the great front rower tries of the season.

Marsden’s goalkicking could use some additional practice because those points left off the scoreboard (14, today) may have haunted the school on a different day.

NRL SCHOOLGIRLS CUP: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS 4 (Isabella Brown try) defeated. by Marsden SHS 38 (Evelyn Roberts, Nikeisha Ngaru, Leilani Taofinuu (2), Sienna Ibrahim (2), Namoe Gesa (2), Carayannidis Ata’Akimoeaka-Pulu tries; Enah Desic (2) goals)

PLAYERS OF THE ROUND

Stretton State College 28 defeated St James 26

Layla Satui (St James)

The crafty St James captain and hooker was the best player on the field by a country mile on Wednesday.

Satui finished with three tries of her own and set up countless attacking opportunities for her side.

Layla Satui has been a leading light for St James College. Picture Glenn Hampson
Layla Satui has been a leading light for St James College. Picture Glenn Hampson

Leevi Williams (Stretton)

A late match winner, Williams stood up in the absence of Bella Alo, shifting from fullback into the number seven jersey where she exploded with two first half tries.

Her link up play on the right edge, and sweeping ability allowed her side to find their groove when needed.

Te Rina Pearse (Stretton)

Also filling a role in the halves, Pearse moved from lock into the five-eight role where her running game was just as strong.

She took the ball to the line really well and when she didn’t have it, she was offering up hard running lines that saw her slice through the St James defence.

The Queensland schoolgirls rugby 7s star finished with two tries of her own.

Tina Gaw had a great game against Stretton Picture Glenn Hampson
Tina Gaw had a great game against Stretton Picture Glenn Hampson

Kina Vainga and Tina Gaw (St James)

Both playing middle, the girls ripped in with vim and vigor. The entire St James squad gained gained confidence from its Confraternity Carnival campaign over the recent school holidays and that was reflected in the performance of both Vainga and Gaw.

Lily Richards (Stretton)

A back row forward, Ricgards impressed with her strong ball carrying throughout the clash against St James.

Lenore Georgetown aims up a Keebra Park player earlier in her Schoolgirls Cup career.
Lenore Georgetown aims up a Keebra Park player earlier in her Schoolgirls Cup career.

Lenore Georgetown (St James)

St James’ co-captain and halfback, Georgetown relished the the authority of her forwards and the run of hooker Satui to have a big impact on her team’s performance.

Keebra Park SHS v Ipswich SHS

Delaney Ah Fook (Keebra Park)

The exciting halves prospect took on the line both directly and also out wider when she decided to skirt across the field to link with an attacking threat.

Sylah Samson (Keebra Park)

Around the forward battle Samson provided that touch of class needed to help Keebra Park take the next step with her threat in the middle and impact from the back off defensive kicks.

Diamond Graham playing for Queensland.
Diamond Graham playing for Queensland.

Diamond Graham (Keebra Park)

Graham’s running game was a big factor in Keebra gaining a slight advantage over Ipswich. Her mobility also aided the fast moving Keebra defensive line.

Aaliyah Te Mete (Keebra Park)

The Queensland player of the tournament at the nationals, front rower Te Mete edged her side into the driver’s seat with typically strong efforts on both sides of the ball. Her courage, late footwork and ball skills made her the complete package.

Charity Faalogo (Ipswich SHS)

Faalogo challenged Keebra Park hard through the middle of the ruck with her brave charges and robust defence which helped tip the match momentum.

Cahtherine Tamate (Ipswich SHS)

Tamate was brave with her carries from the wing, throwing herself into the teeth of the opposition with no thought of self preservation. She also defended well.

Amber Collins (Ipswich SHS)

Collins provided the guile, scheming around the field and organising her forwards and edge threat players. She also aimed up in defence and was able to contribute to the momentum of her side.

Originally published as 2025 NRL Schoolgirl Cup round 6 Players of the Day revealed after two thrillers

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/ipswich/sport/2025-nrl-schoolgirl-cup-round-6-players-of-the-day-revealed-after-two-thrillers/news-story/de5aea28a609e65727d8a62ffbcc6d3c