Live stream: Westfields v Hills, Central Coast v Bass in NRL Schoolgirls Cup preliminary finals

The defending champs up against a rising power of Schoolgirls footy. Next week’s southern division grand final promises to be a cracker. Catch up on the two semifinal REPLAYS.

A resounding semi-final victory has Hills Sports High dreaming of back-to-back NSW Schoolgirls Cup titles.

But they know a rising power in Schoolgirls footy awaits after Central Coast Sports College produced a barnstorming second half display to beat Bass High.

Catch the grand final next Wednesday LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 11am.

Read on for the semifinal reports.

CENTRAL COAST SPORTS COLLEGE 24 d BASS HIGH 10

Central Coast Sports College is into the Schoolgirls Cup Southern Conference on the back of a thrilling second half display, downing Bass High 24-10.

Central Coast almost had the dream start after Ella Knowles ran a great line off some nice lead-up play from Mahlie Cashin, only for the last pass not to stick to deny a certain try.

They didn’t have to wait long to get on the board however, with Cashin throwing another beautiful pass, this time hitting a surging Grace Dabin on the chest to get things rolling in thrilling fashion.

Bass was able to regain the kick-off and, after earning a repeat set, they were able to take the lead at 6-4 after Seriah Palepale barged her way through the defence and reached out to score.

Central Coast was its own worst enemy as it tried to hit back with a number of errors deep in its own territory.

Front rower Aliana Fasavalu Fa’amausili showed off her skills with a lovely grubber to force a repeat set, and Bass finally struck again as Layneah Daniels hit a hole at speed to burn the Central Coast defence on their way to a 10-4 lead at the break.

Similar to the first half, it was the Central Coast that struck first in the second as Olivia Saley caught the defence napping to score from dummy half and level the scores.

They were inches away from going back-to-back, only for Millie Parker’s pass to Knowles to be ruled forward.

Soon after they re-took the lead with a nice spread allowing Indie Rosen to score in the corner, giving them a four-point buffer with 15 minutes to play.

The onslaught continued as Central Coast put one foot in the grand final after a brilliant turn of foot from Dabin to cut inside and completely out-speed the Bass fullback to push the margin out to 10.

Bass had its chances to keep the game alive, but it was Maia Madden Khan who scored virtually on the buzzer to round out an impressive second half showing from CCSC.

HILLS SPORTS 16 d WESTFIELDS SPORT 6

Hill Sports High has the chance to go back-to-back in the Schoolgirls Cup Southern Conference after holding out Westfields SHS 16-6 at Campbelltown Stadium to book its spot in the grand final.

They dominated the territory battle early in the contest and it seemed only a matter of time before they would breach the staunch Westfields defence.

That moment came in the 13th minute when Hills had an overlap on the right-hand side and Danielle Seckold unselfishly passed onto Lyric Salafai to go over untouched and get the scoring underway.

Against the run of play Westfields had their best chance of the game when Irae Savea made a huge burst, stepping off her left foot to make a promising break, only for the ball to go into touch on the next play.

Westfields SHS v Hills SHS - NRL Schoolgirls Cup semi finals

The pressure was too much for Hills and it was Arijana Zammit-Kaipo who was able to step inside to give Westfields a 6-4 lead, despite Mya Muller looking like she did enough to hold the fullback up.

They would take that advantage into the second half, but only for a matter of minutes as Hills flew out of the blocks.

They forced an error deep in Westfields territory and capitalised with Matoisha Kalepo proving too strong from close range just four minutes into the half.

It was again Kalepo in the thick of things as Hills pushed the margin out to 12-6 with 15 minutes remaining, throwing the last pass of a nice backline movement for Anita Ropati to touch down in the corner.

Just as it looked like Aliahana Fuimaono had sealed the deal for Hills, they were penalised for interfering with the marker, keeping the door ajar for a late Westfields comeback.

They had their chances to pepper the line of Hills but just couldn’t break through, and the deal was well and truly sealed when Manua Moleka crossed three minutes from full-time to give Hills a chance to defend its title.

Check out the LIVE STREAM schedule below. Scroll down for the full team lists.

PREVIEW

Coach Patricia Raikadroka said the way her team has dedicated itself to improving over the course of the season has them in good stead to play beyond this week.

“Our preparation over the last two weeks has been really good, focusing on the things we control and do well,” she said.

Hills skipper Olivia Va'alele. Pic: Andrew Tetley

Manua Moleka comes from a rugby background.

“The girls are pleased with their performances and each individual has feedback to take away and improve on.

“They’ve been taking it on board. It’s been challenging for some players at times. We’ve had a lot of people who have been quite sick or injured.

“The increase of rep footy outside of school has made it hard for that continuity, but they’ve been receptive to it.”

Hills and Westfields played out a thrilling preliminary final last season, which was taken out by the former, and Raikadroka said they won’t be overawed by the challenge of the powerhouse school as they look to repeat that effort.

“It was a cracking final. The program of Westfields and the status the school has is something we’re aware of,” she said.

“They’re a powerful team in the middle and they have some elusive outside backs. We need our middles to carry us forward.

“It’s a challenge the girls are definitely up for. In previous years the thought of playing them scared some of our girls, but they’re confident in their game-plan and skills.”

Mya Muller will face her old school on Wednesday. Picture: Andrew Tetley

The star halves of Hills will help to lead the way, as will their leader who happens to be a former Westfields student.

“Olivia Vaalele was recently selected for the Australian Schoolgirls. She captained the Lisa Fiaola team to a premiership and is now in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership (with the Bulldogs),” Raikadroka said.

“Manua Moleka partners her in the halves and she has a rugby background. She has a strong running game and her general footy IQ compliments a player like Olivia.

“Mya Muller came across from Westfields and she’s excited to play against her old school and show what she can do.”

TEAM LISTS

HILLS SPORTS HIGH v WESTFIELDS SPORTS HIGH

Hills Sports High

1. Anastasia Leatupue, 2. Anita Ropati, 3. Catea Duff, 4. Danielle Seckold, 5. Lyriuc Salafai, 6. Olivia Va’alele, 7. Manua Moleka, 8. Ella Walker, 9. Naioka Tuipulotu, 10. Mya Muller, 11. Aliahana Fuiamaono, 12. Matoisha Kalepo, 13. Aaliyah Soufan, 14. Tavina Pritchard, 15. Adriana Tuara, 16. Lily-Ann Abboud, 19. Ava Masic

Westfields Sports High

1. Arijana Zammit-Kaipo, 2. Zara Stanford, 3. Irae Savea, 4. Layla Tima, 5. Isabel McMenemy, 6. Sharon Latapu, 7. Amirah El-Abdallah, 8. Angel Schaafhausen-Mino, 9. Paige Attard, 10. Pauline Suli-Ruka, 11. Arielanna Lole, 12. Faith Masina, 13. Rory Muller, 14. Jaeahna Latu, 15. Makayla Towerton, 16. Vilimaina Kagi

CENTRAL COAST SC v BASS HIGH

Central Coast Sports College

1. Ella Knowles, 2. Indie Rosen, 3. Grace Dabin, 4. Emily Carlisle, 5. Maia Madden Khan, 6. Mahlie Cashin, 7. Madison Massey, 8. Ellie Brander, 9. Olivia Saley, 10. Emilie Rose Hall, 11. Bronte Ryan, 12. Millie Parker, 13. McKenzie Hammond, 14. Hiva Mahe, 16. Grace Mahe, 16. Ruby Anderson, 17. Summer Pollard, 18. Kaela Ida

Bass High

1. Layneah Daniels, 2. Salaseini Rainima, 3. Cherish Niusere Maiva, 4. Rylee Morgan, 5. Maria Cinavou, 6. Paige Tauaneai, 7. Mariah Fasavalu, 8. Aliana Fasavalu Fa’amausili, 9. Naomi Tabua, 10. Seriah Palepale, 11. Trinity Tauaneai, 12. Chantel Ben, 13. Matilda Asplet, 14. Oketi Rowan Tato, 15. Silita Tatom 16. Maria Cinavou, 17. Sia Tai, 18. Alana Otukolo

Originally published as Live stream: Westfields v Hills, Central Coast v Bass in NRL Schoolgirls Cup preliminary finals