Langer, Walters Cup qualifying round - how it all unfolded
Langer Trophy, Walters Cup qualifying finals resolved, with Stretton State College, Redcliffe SHS and Mountain Creek SHS taking giant steps toward earning places in the elite competitions.
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The Langer Trophy dreams remained alive for Stretton State College and Mountain Creek SHS after wins in today’s qualifying matches at Gibson Park.
Stretton State College will play Caloundra SHS and Mountain Creek will take on Redcliffe next Wednesday, with the winners filling the final two places in the elite schoolboy eight team rugby league competition.
CONNELL CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON
And the Walters Cup top eight has been finalised following wins by Redcliffe SHS over Mountain Creek and Stretton State College over Alexandra Hills SHS.
Redcliffe, Stretton now join PBC SHS, Mabel Park SHS, Ipswich SHS, Wavell SHS, Marsden SHS and Keebra Park SHS as the Walters Cup teams.
THE MATCHES
Mountain Creek SHS defeated St Mary’s College
Mountain Creek SHS coach Sam Mawhinney praised the depth of his 17 after his side defeated St Mary’s 28-16.
With bench players Tyson Fallon-May, Lachie Starling and Nathan Thomas prominent, the Jai Bowden-inspired Mountain Creek SHS pulled clear of their rivals after the scores were locked 12-all at halftime.
“It was a team performance,’’ Mountain Creek coach Mawhinney said.
“You can have your rep players but everyone else still has to turn up and do their job.
“I thought we won the collision both in defence and with the footy.
“We dented their line and that provided momentum to play.’’
While it was a team performance, hooker Bowden was outstanding with his control of the game, vision and ability to take advantage of a quick ruck.
No.13 Jackson Koina also parked himself in the middle of the ruck where he was an immovable object in defence, and a vigorous runner, while bench men Fallon-May and Thomas maintained the rage.
“Nathan Thomas brings us something off the bench as well as energy with the footy and without it. We genuinely lose nothing when we make changes. We have really good depth through our 17,’’ Mawhinney said.
St Mary’s were not light years off the pace, and with Braithen Scott pulling the strings to create two tries, they were dangerous - particularly when centre Joe Litadamu handled.
Although outgunned No.13 Charles Barnes was also an effort on effort player.
And overall the forward pack turned up to play for St Mary’s. But Mountain Creek kept coming and coming.
But Mounatin Creek won some key moments which included:
+ Mountain Creek fullback CJ Toye and prop Oliver Kleijn saving a try when Brodie Hilt dived at the line;
+ bench players Fallon-May and Thomas adding plenty;
+ Mountain Creek hooker Bowden striking off the back of quick ruck ball;
+ Mountain Creek No.13 Jackson Koina being a rock in the middle against the willing St Mary’s pack.
Stretton State College defeated Morayfield SHS
In the Stretton State College v Morayfield Langer Trophy qualifying game, Stretton won 76-6.
Stretton started well as a pack and with early momentum, they took the game away from their rivals.
Morayfield rallied just after halftime, with halfback Shannon Bishop having a hand in one try and almost creating a second with a grubber kick.
They did score courtesy of centre Jack Wharerau after a pass, and then an effort run from second rower Zeb Pickering.
But Stretton had too much strike, with five-eight Jontaye Brown starring with running and passing, while Titans signd centre Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu looked too big and strong.
WALTERS CUP
Redcliffe SHS def Mountain Creek SHS
In the Walters Cup qualifier between Redcliffe SHS and Mountain Creek SHS, barnstorming edge forward James Peni was to the fore with his crash running.
The powerful 15-year-old Redcliffe student looked like a man among boys, and used his size to see Redcliffe home with two timely tries.
The big boy scored two decisive tries in the second half, his first one to take the lead and his second to flex his muscles.
Redcliffe has a good one here.
BIG MOMENTS
Redcliffe SHS started the match beautifully with classy halfback Max Carriage throwing a lovely spiral pass to set up the first try.
Sporting white headgear, Carriage played out a strong performance, beginning with this left to right cut out which got the Eagles off to a flyer when TJ Mailau strode over.
PENI POWER
The match to-and-froed with Mountain Creek ahead early in the second half.
And when Redcliffe needed a lift most, Peni rose to the occasion to land a telling blow.
The tall, physical second row steamed onto the ball from 20m out and forced his way over to score a crucial go-ahead try.
In the dying moments, he scored another with a similar run.
It was something to behold from the young forward.
THE DAGGER
Wrecking ball prop Tristan Auelua scored the dagger which sealed the game.
After Peni worked his magic to give the side the lead, Auelua confirmed the school’s entrance into the Walters Cup with a tremendous close range raid.
Outside of Auelua and Peni, winger TJ Mailau and playmaker Carriage were top notch.
Stretton State College v Alexandra Hills SHS
In the other qualifier between Alexandra Hills and Stretton State College, the latter prevailed to secure a spot in this year’s Walters Cup competition.
Stretton were the bigger side, but that didn’t stop a gutsy Alexandra Hills outfit from giving it their all.
Alex were stung by the withdrawal of arguably their top two players overnight, but still had a go.
Alex Hills five-eighth Kya Elkington, who put his body on the line tackling, was one of many Alex Hills boys taking it to Stretton.
The other was vocal fullback Kai Thomas who made inroads with his running game.
But Stretton had a bit more size and a bit more finesse, and that showed late in the game when they ran away with it.
The icing on the cake came late with a flurry of tries, one of which was a superb try from fullback Amon Tu’afe.
Prior to this, five-eighth Max Luong defended brilliantly to deny Alex Hills near the Stretton goal-line.
Off the back of his efforts, Stretton got a roll on.
Edge forward Ondre’us Poimafti struck away in his bright yellow boots to score, and assist, on tries in a second half where Stretton played as if they were running down hill.
PLAYERS TO WATCH PREVIEW
LANGER TROPHY
Stretton State College
Kayliss Brown
A crafty ball playing dummy half, Brown will look to insert himself into games with his vision and speed around the ruck.
Jonah Huni
A year 11 student at Stretton State College, Jonah is a tall ball playing lock that will look to assert himself in defence with aggression and great first contact.
JZ Perenara-Livapulu
A young bullocking centre JZ was a Queensland under 15 representative. JZ will look to impose himself in games with his strong ball running & bruising defence.
St Mary’s College
Braithen Scott
The outstanding schoolboy halfback signed by the Broncos will be a key player in the St Mary’s side. He is a natural player with vision and a sixth sense for the game.
Bodhi Sharpley
A tough as nails big minutes player in the middle, the local works hard in defence and has a great fend. He can also unload in attack. Sharpley is signed to Titans and was a standout for Queensland Country under-17s last season.
Brodie Hilt
A talented hooker who possesses a strong running game, Hilt also defends well in the middle. He has been outstanding for the Western Clydesdales during the Cyril Connell Cup club season this year.
Mountain Creek SHS
Jackson Koina
Konia is a lock forward with a great running game but equally comfortable playing a ball distributing role through the middle. Tough and uncompromising, loves to hit hard in defence. He has been outstanding for the Sunshine Coast Falcons this season.
Tyson Fallon-May
A utility who can play multiple positions, Fallon-May always brings his best effort and is an energiser bunny on the field. He is another top notch performer for the Falcons in 2024.
Jai Bowden
A creative hooker who has electric speed and great vision, Bowden can expose any weaknesses in the opposition defence. A tough defender who gets through a mountain of work. He played in the victorious Country under-17 team last year
Morayfield SHS Open Rugby League Students
Shannon Bishop
A talented and tough halfback, Bishop’s strength is undoubtedly his defence as well as his
organisation and leadership skills. He has a Matt Burton-type floating bomb.
Ryan Evile
A hulking lock forward with an unassuming ball playing ability, Evile brings astute decision making at the line and a strong tackle busting ability. Those traits make him a handful for defences and provides plenty of second phase opportunity for his team.
Reco Naitini
A workhorse back rower thirsty for defensive effort. Being one of the hardest trainers in the team has seen him develop into a cornerstone of Morayfield’s right edge attack with his outstanding line running and support play.
Eric Walit
A physical ball running centre with plenty of speed to burn. The year 12 outside back was
Morayfield’s leading try scorer last year thanks to his ability to find the outside of his opposite number with his footwork and left hand fend.
WALTERS TROPHY
Redcliffe SHS
Jonathan Alo
A towering centre who played in the Sunshine Coast representative team last year. The 14-year-old has backed that up with selection in the Coast’s 2024 side as well, winning a place with his powerful running game and great defensive.
Kyron Arthy
Another centre, Arthy has come the long way around to play in the qualifying match. He represented Western Australia as a 14-year-old during the schoolboy nationals last year in Coffs Harbour and has made the move east. Arthy has led the way at training and has a natural ability to find the try line.
Cohen Cochrane
A hooker, lock or halfback utility, Corchrane is a strong defender in the middle of the field who has benefited from spending the off-season training in the Dolphins Cyril Connell squad. Cochrane will lead the team around the park and help to get Redcliffe on the front foot.
Stretton State College
Onyx Poimafiti
A strong ball carrier with a good offload, Poimafiti has late footwork and will find his front most of the time he runs the ball. This helps to get the team going forwards with his quick play the ball. Poimafiti is a led from the front captain and is the only Met West representative from Stretton State College.
Amon Tu’aefe
Tu’aefe is very fast and evasive fullback with the ability to find space and get between defenders. The No. 1 organises the team well in defence, communicating with the team to get the right numbers on each side of the play the ball in defence.
Dakoda Yung
A skilled young half, Yung has an with the ability to beat players one-on-one. He is also improving with his direction and leadership within the team. Young thrives off the back off quick play the balls which allows him to showcase his speed and agility.
Mountain Creek SHS
Year 10 players
Jonah Stephens
A big, strong hard running front rower, he only started playing club rugby league last year, but earned a position in the Sunshine Coast Falcons RISE squad. Stephens works hard for his team and is a consistent performer.
Leo Michaels
An extremely talented ball playing lock forward, Michaels has put himself on the radar of several NRL clubs, earning a place in the Broncos, Dolphins and Storm development squads. He likes to lead the way for his team through his actions.
Rileigh Ruming
Ruming is a smart dummy half who possesses a consistent pass and great vision from the ruck. He will test the opposition defence with his darts on quick play the balls and works hard in defence
Braxon Boon
Watch for this strong edge backrower who has a lethal combination of speed, skill, agility and aggression.
Originally published as Langer, Walters Cup qualifying round - how it all unfolded
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