Young players put their skills to test at Grammar Downlands Day
YOUNG TALENT: The future stars of Downlands, Glennie and Grammar’s rugby programs were on show at the weekend. Check out what they had to say here.
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While all eyes were on the O’Callaghan Cup and Selean Worsely Cup first teams, it was a day of unforgettable action across the board at Downlands College on Saturday.
In the 16B clash, Toowoomba Grammar prevailed against Downlands, with young guns Harry Rogers and Braith Neven starring in the forward pack.
“(I am) very chuffed, we played well and had good structures,” Rogers said.
Neven is a rugby league convert and loved the feeling of running out on such a big day.
“The boys put in absolute effort the whole way through and got away with a win,” he said.
“The emotions are there with the boys in the tunnel and the war-cries, get the nerves going and you’re just keen to play.”
The no. 8 revealed the biggest challenge he has faced since making a code switch in recent years.
“Definitely the rule changes, offsides, in league you got to get 10m back, whereas (in rugby union) you can just stand in the ruck,” he said.
Neven believed his energy on the field and willingness do what’s required for the team was his biggest strength and hopes to one day make the First XV after having a taste of main oval action with the 15A team last year.
“It would be pretty unreal, just having the school war cry, the emotions, it would be pretty sick,” he said.
While Neven is fairly new to the sport, Rogers has lived and breathed rugby since he first started playing at under-6 level and has had countless memorable moments out on the field, with none greater than being around his teammates.
“Just playing with me mates, that is probably a highlight of my rugby career,” he said.
As he continues to further his development and rise through the TGS ranks, Rogers revealed the players who have inspired him to be his best.
“One that went through school last year George Griffith, he’s plays similar position to me and never gives up,” he said.
“Tom Bailey as well, he plays for the First (XV), no.8.”
Young Glennie weapon guides 15s to victory
As the temperatures soared throughout the middle of the day, it was a festival of rugby sevens on the top field from the Selena Worsley Cup, down to the under-15 and under-13s.
Ava Kowitz helped Glennie claim an impressive win in the under-15s competition and was delighted with her side’s performance.
“(I am) super proud, we all did so well, we just gave our all,” she said.
“For 14 minutes all of our effort was just to that game, it was really awesome.”
With the younger sevens clashes now a part of the cup day, Kowitz loved the opportunity to play in front of a bumper crowd.
“It is so special having everybody around, the support is awesome, you get to see all the faces around, know you have so much support behind you, it is really good,” she said.
“It’s amazing, the feeling of the girls supporting you, you get to run out in the tunnel it is really good.”
Throughout her rugby career which began half a decade ago, Kowitz revealed her favourite thing about rugby sevens.
“The girls that I made friends with,” she said.
“They are all so amazing and I think that is something really special to me because I get to hang out with them all the time now and you got your support there, you got your best mates and I think that’s really special.”
Downlands young guns claim hard-fought win
With Glennie eyeing off a clean sweep of the rugby sevens clashes, the Downlands under-13s came out to play, claiming a gutsy victory.
Poppie Zappa and Sophia Hooper were two of the shining lights for the Downlands girls and could be stars of the show for years to come on cup day.
“(It is) pretty exciting, we haven’t beaten them (Glennie) a lot of times, but it was really good for all of the supporters,” Hooper said.
Hooper started playing rugby for Downlands last season and hopes to one day run out for the Selena Worsley Cup.
“It would be really special and hopefully I make it in year 12,” she said.
Zappa is a rugby rookie after previously playing rugby league and netball but has taken the challenge in her stride.
“It is a bit of a challenge because the rules are very different and it is a bit for an adjustment,” she said.
With the under-13s clash going down to the wire, Zappa said nerves were high within the Downlands team but they stayed strong when it mattered most.
“It was pretty exciting, we didn’t win by much but it was still a good win,” she said.
“It’s honestly a little nerve-racking but if we just kept our cool we’d be fine.”
Captain fantastic
Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, Downlands 14A could be forgiven for their nervy start.
Early in the contest Downlands were guilty of a few basic errors as they battled nerves.
The Griffins soon took control and settled into their rhythm after scoring the first of the game before going on to secure a 19-5 win.
It was a proud moment for Griffins captain Timothy Luck who has been part of the playing cohort since 12A.
“I’m really proud of how far we have come as a team – there’s been a lot of hard work and we’ve grown a lot,” Luck said.
“We lost to pretty much the same team in 12A and drew with them in 13A.
“We really stuck it out until the end in this one, kept our structure and fought for each other.
“It’s a great way to finish our rugby season.”
Asked if thought any of his teammates could eventually secure a First XV cap, Luck’s response was a resounding ‘yes’.
“Yes definitely, I think we’ve got some really good players,” he said.
“It takes a lot of hard work, but if you stick to the program, do the work and all those extras it can happen.”
Amazingly Luck, who was a key figure in his side’s 14A victory, backed up in the Griffins 15A squad after the short break between matches.
The Queensland Country prop ran just as hard, bending the Grammar line at will, in his second straight game as he did in his first.
Tigers claw out 15A win
In the end a determined Grammar ran away with a 19-7, but at halftime it was anyone’s game.
The Tigers opened the scoring early and looked to be in the ascendancy before Downlands clawed their way back into the game.
Locked at 7-7 going into the break both teams looked confident as they prepared for the second half.
An early Grammar try swung the game in their favour and the Tigers held tight in defence to secure the win.
“That try early in the second half helped a lot,” Grammar’s Xavier Davey said.
“Overall I think the win and how we played is something we’ve been building towards all year.
“From pre-season to the (GPS) season we’ve been building as a team.
“Everyone has worked really hard, we know each other’s games inside out, our strengths and weaknesses and we built that trust so we could rely on each other under pressure.
“That’s what got us over the line in this game today against a really good Downlands side.”
Running rugby a real winner
The 16A showdown proved to be one of the day’s most exciting games.
Even the most diehard Downlands supporter would’ve been able to praise the standard of play in Grammar’s commanding 38-0 win.
The Tigers played a ‘classic game’ drawing in the Downlands defence with hard runs through the middle and clean rucking before spreading the ball wide to their speedsters.
“We knew it wouldn’t easy, Downlands never go away, but we were really focused on playing our game no matter,” Grammar’s Luke Burrow said.
“We were tough through the middle, you have to earn the right to go wide by making those hard runs in the centre, doing all the little things right.
“Once we did that it gave our guys out wide the chance to do their thing. They get the tries and they deserve it (praise) but it really was everyone sticking to the plan, playing to our strengths.”
Grammar steal win
With the sun beating down and a crosswind wreaking havoc on their kicking games, Grammar and Downlands Second XV sides produced the type of gritty battle you’d expect of two long time rivals.
Grammar walked away with a 22-14 win but Downlands can hold their heads high despite the result.
“Our defence was the big factor in the end,” Grammar captain Xavier Austin said.
“It was really hard going out there, very hot, windy and they (Downlands) never backed down.
“We got the try in the second half we helped our momentum but it was the defence and the pressure we applied that really turned it for us.
“It was a great game from all the boys and something we should all be proud of.”
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