All the action and colour from O’Callaghan Cup, Selena Worsley Shield and other games
Toowoomba Grammar, Downlands College and Glennie showcased their skills in massive day of rugby. Check out our huge action gallery featuring O’Callaghan Cup, Selena Worsley Shield, junior games and every single result in the history of the cup.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RUGBY: Trying to stop Richard Dean was like trying to capture lightning on Saturday.
The young Grammar winger was dazzling, elusive and at times untouchable in his side’s 27-21 O’Callaghan Cup win over Downlands.
“It was a really good performance from the whole team,” Dean said.
“We stuck to our game plan and when we played our game we got the tries we wanted.
“Personally I just tried to play on the edges and the boys helped me with some good ball.”
Dean picked up Grammar’s player of the match honours but teammate Henry Ford could’ve easily picked up the award as well.
Ford’s first try set the tone in what was a tense and gritty encounter between the two longtime rival schools.
Ford pounced on a loose ball to score the first of his two tries with less than minute gone after Downlands dropped the ball in-goal off the kick-off.
Downlands drew level midway through the first half but Grammar’s ability to capitalise in the ‘big moments’ and hold on to the ball was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
“We gave them a few early Christmas presents in the beginning of the game,” Downlands coach Garrick Morgan said.
“Grammar deserve credit though – they’re a very good side, they gave it a good dig and were hard on the board.
“I’m very proud of my boys though.
“There were times there where we defended really well on our line and towards the end there we showed we have the spirit but those chances and moments can be fleeting in these big games.”
Grammar’s 27-21 win reduced the historic ledger to just two wins difference with Downlands holding a 36 to 34 win advantage.
In the 73-year history of the cup the two schools have tied three times.
Selena Worsley Shield
For the first time in the O’Callagan Cup history girls’ rugby sevens featured on the program.
Lining up against The Glennie School, Downlands claimed the inaugural Selena Worsley Shield winning two of the three games in the series.
Trailing at 12-5 halftime in game three Downlands fought back to secure an 20-12 win.
Captain Erin Chandler played a leading role in the win – scoring twice in the second half.
Despite not being able to lift the shield Glennie captain Seinna Norris was proud of her team’s efforts in the series.
“It was a great opportunity for us and we’re grateful to be a part of such a massive event,” she said.
“The O’Callaghan Cup is a huge event and to have rugby (sevens) as part of it is very special.
“I’m really proud of the team, everyone worked really hard it’s just unfortunate we didn’t get to lift the shield.
“They (Downlands) played well and it was a tough day with the three games.”
SQUAD ANALYSIS
DOWNLANDS SEVENS – Selena Worsley Shield
Jessica Fitzgibbons (first receiver): Readily shares her rugby knowledge and experience to help her teammates. A strong passer who puts her speed to good use when the opportunity presents itself.
Erin Chandler (halfback): Like Fitzgibbons she consistently shares her rugby knowledge and leads by example. Reads the game well and leaves nothing in the tank when she plays.
Reagan McMillin (forward): One of the team’s strongest players, reads play with the best and has a great ability to bust through gaps.
Zoe Geiger (centre): Committed in attack and defence, Geiger has an incredible passing game and blistering speed.
Bonnie Zappa (hooker): Unwavering commitment, determination and an amazing kicking game.
Charlee Lamb (forward): A fast-footed forward who can always be relied on in defence and has a great passing game. Lamb is always looking for ways to involve her teammates in play.
Alicia Prior (winger): Great speed, amazing determination and never gives up in defence.
Francesca Daboul (hooker): An outstanding communicator who uses her mobility to great effect.
Allie Ryan (centre/first receiver): An outstanding lineout jumper with great pace.
Abbey Mortimer (forward): Very strong in the ruck and is not afraid to put her body on the line.
Hannah Neilsen (wing/centre): Great speed and never gives up on a play in attack or defence.
Rebekah Duffin (forward): A fast forward with good strength. Does her best work cleaning out at the breakdown.
GLENNIE SEVENS – Selena Worsley Shield
Lucy Anlezark (half): A great utility player, with an impressive work rate and a consistent kicking game.
Matilda Burton (wing): A consistent winger who excels at one-on-one tackling.
Georgette Emmerton (forward): The team’s speedster – loves getting around her opposition and dancing down the sideline.
Ava Tate (forward): A hard hitting forward who always makes an impact on the field.
Saffron Sandow (forward): A dominate defender with a reputation for making great try-saving tackles.
Ally Ramsay (forward): One of the team’s hardest workers. Dominates the middle of the field with her hard running and defence.
Sophie Bender (half): A consistent player with a great understanding of the game. Bender has a great ability to create opportunities for her teammates with a pass or a kick.
Zoe Waters (centre): A great ballplayer who reads the games and uses her impressive footwork throughout.
Sienna Norris (half): A real leader with great communication skills and an ability to calm her team when they’re under pressure.
Katelyn Collie (hooker): One of the team’s hardest player. Makes great decisions in defence and controls the play well.
Bailey Kowitz (wing): Kowitz is new to rugby sevens but uses her touch football experience to great effect to create opportunities for herself and her team.
DOWNLANDS O’CALLAGHAN CUP FIRST XV
Malinga Likio (prop): A hard working player on both sides of the ball. Tackles hard and is strong with the ball in hand.
Kurt Rouhead (hooker): A consistent, reliable lineout thrower with excellent scrimmaging skills.
Trevor King (prop): A big and fast prop with great all-round skills. A young player on the rise.
Johnny Ryan (second row): Leads the forward well and provides great value at set piece as a mobile line out specialist.
Mac Koch (second row): The lineout specialist is unwavering in defence and is a strong pivot player.
Jake Stephens (flanker): A high energy breakaway with an impressive workrate.
Connor Day (flanker): The co-captain leads with by example. An excellent all-rounder who is sharp at the breakdown and in defence.
Rhys Chadburn (no. 8): Sharing the captaincy duties with Day, Chadburn is cut from the same cloth with his focus on leading by example. If there’s a ‘problem’ on field he is often the ‘fixer’. A great support player with impressive tackling and bally carrying skills.
Demetrius Christodoulou (scrumhalf): His physical fitness, game awareness and quick hands make Christodoulou an ideal scrum half.
Braith Clark (flyhalf): ‘The General’ controls play with ease, has a handy kicking game and is a strong tackler as well.
Wes O’Brien (wing): A real threat out wide with his speed, all-round skills and ability to find the line and finish.
Heath Lindenmayer (inside centre): A strong, powerful player who can quickly pivot between attack and defence.
Ben Lotz (outside centre): Lotz is young but has already established himself as a ‘linchpin’ player. He is exciting with the ball in hand and a real X-factor.
Tom McDonald (wing): A high calibre skilled player who can be relied on to get the job done.
Jaycriyzel Patelesio-Faamausili (fullback): A cool head under pressure who can do it all with and without the ball.
Malachi Tuakura: A inspirational player with great skills. Has a great ability to take advantage of in-game opportunities.
Lucas White: A mobile second-rower with great potential.
GRAMMAR O’CALLAGHAN CUP FIRST XV
Henry Ford (prop): A mobile prop who works hard across the field on both sides of the play.
Matt Price (prop): Strong at the set piece and carries the ball hard in attack.
Jeremiah Sialau (prop): Capable of playing anywhere in the front row, Sialau’s versatility is a great asset to the team.
Hamish Andreas (prop): The young prop is a wiley and experienced campaigner.
Ewald Kruger (hooker): Kruger’s pinpoint throwing is a great strength and he is very skilful with the ball in hand.
Charlie Horn (lock): Horn is an exceptional leader and will captain the team this season. His clinical work at the lineout makes him a set-piece threat.
George Griffiths (lock and no. 8): One of the hardest workers in the team. Griffith dominates the middle of the field with his hard running and defence.
Samson Chow (lock): Can bend the defensive line with his strong carries and has a great offload.
Tom Bailey (lock and backrow): Very aggressive in the contact area, Bailey will give 100 per cent of himself from the first whistle to the last.
Jimmy White (flanker): An extremely skilled forward with good footwork and catch-pass skills.
Xander Jacobs (flanker): A fast and agile forward who is strong at the breakdown.
Joe Johnston (flanker): Fit and mobile, Johnston works hard across the field.
George Bailey (flanker): A fast and agile forward who loves to run the ball hard.
Bill Brennan (flanker): A determined and hard worker who can cover all three backrow
positions.
Matt Bussing (flanker and no. 8): A big, strong ball carrier who is also handy at the lineout.
Oliver Chaffey (no. 8): A big, physical backrower who makes himself known in the lineout.
Zack Lane (halfback): Lane is everything you want in a half with his strong passing and kicking skills.
Richard Dean (halfback and wing): Fast and agile with a dangerous running
game that will trouble plenty of teams.
Lachlan Brownlie (halfback): A real student of the game with a strong passing skill set.
Wihan Kruger (flyhalf): A great game manager with an exceptional passing
and kicking game.
Bud Smith (centre): An excellent carrier of the ball and defensive leader in the middle of the field.
Chace Oates (centre and flyhalf): A very skilful player with the ability to kick, pass,
carry and tackle at a high level.
Carter Liddiard (centre and wing): Cuts an imposing figure and poses a real threat in the
outside channels on both sides of the ball.
Will Holley (wing and fullback): Has bags of speed to complement a solid passing
and kicking game.
Josh Healy (wing): A big and physical outside back that loves contact and is an attacking threat.
Will Nason (fullback/outside centre): An agile and fast outside back with a solid kicking game.
Named: The Origin stars who will play in Toowoomba NRL trial
The Broncos and Titans have named star-studded teams for their Toowoomba pre-season showdown this Sunday. Find out who will line-up at Toowoomba Sports Ground here.
League star in induced coma after rural Queensland car crash
A 20-year-old Queensland rugby league star is fighting for life after a car crash left him with severe head and chest injuries. Here’s how you can support him and his family.
NAMED: The players who hold the key in race for Toowoomba cricket finals
As we enter the business end of the Toowoomba cricket competition, we shine a light on the players from each club who could shape the premiership race.
Sport shorts: The Darling Downs and South West stories you need to see
Check out our latest instalment of sports shorts where we shine a light on the region’s sporting stories.
TRL TRACKER: Former NRL playmaker signed in shock move
TRL TRACKER: A TRL club has made one of the biggest moves this off-season with the acquisition of an elite playmaker. Details here.
Titans win stampede to sign boom Coast twins
The Gold Coast Titans have won a stampede to sign boom Year 9 twins from King’s Christian College, but a Logan City young gun from Cameron Smith’s old school remains hot property.