The Queensland teams fought back on the second day of the Division I matches in the 2016 Sebel Australian School Championships, winning both matches in improved performances.
But the two NSW teams remained undefeated as they shaded Combined States and Victoria at key moments.
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NSW I 31 – Combined States 27
by “redblack”
A dominant first-half display by NSW I enabled them to beat Combined States 31 -24 but they had to fight hard to keep the lead later on.
It took ten minutes for NSW to get on the scoreboard after being held up twice over the line. Eventually quick hands created the spaces and winger Mohi was there to finish off twice.
Because NSW worked hard as a pack and valued possession, CS saw little of the ball during the first half and with Doueihi calling the shots and making good decisions NSW looked to be in control.
Lawson scored a good try for NSW after powerful lead-up work by the forwards then Combined half back Dowling took advantage of a gap down the blindside, after a lineout, with a clever individual try. NSW 19-5.
NSW struck back soon after when winger Taukamo dived over to increase the lead to 26-5 with ten minutes to go in the half.
Half-time score: NSW I 26 – Combined States 5
After the break NSW increased its lead to 31-5 after a Jaffer-Williams try; then the wheels fell off for NSW because they waited for things to happen, which was incentive for Combined States to get their act together.
With a NSW player in the bin CS took advantage by scoring two quick tries through Shannon and Jeffries to make it “game on” at 31-17 with little more than ten minutes remaining.
NSW thwarted a number of attacks with stoic defence and leading the charge was big prop Helu together with hooker Ongosia and Margin.
Several times the NSW defence was tested but they withstood the charges until the final minute when hooker Lynch crossed for Combined after some good lead-up work by his forwards (and the NSW scrum not functioning for a change).
Final score: NSW I 31 – Combined States 24
For NSW Jaffer-Williams was elusive before oranges and made good yards; Lawson was never far from the ball.
For Combined Fry and Jeffries got through a mountain of work and THP Bo Abra was a standout again.
Queensland I 48 – Western Australia 7
by “redblack”
A dominant second-half display by Qld I enabled them to beat Western Australia 48-7 but it was anyone’s game at half time.
After a dour first half WA went to the break with a narrow lead following an early try to Collins for Qld1 and just prior to half time a converted try to Wylie from WA.
WA had the better of the chances, but poor options through not moving the ball to their outside men who were in space, left them with a disappointing return for their efforts.
Queensland incurred several penalties in blocks and received an official warning; but WA couldn’t slot the goals.
Both forward packs were giving their all with Dobb and McReight leading the way for Qld and Hodges and Hutchins getting through a mountain of work for WA.
Half time score: WA 7 – Queensland I 5.
Directly after the intermission a break by McReight had the ball to Mahina and finally to Eadie for the first of his three tries in the half for Queensland. Shortly after Dobb was rewarded for his efforts with a barnstorming run to touch down for a scoreline of 15-7 to the northerners
The turning point in the match came shortly after with WA pressuring the line with a four-man overlap only for Malala to swoop with an intercept. He was caught in a brilliant tackle from Shortall but from the next play he scored in the corner and Queensland were on a roll 22 – 7, a quarter-hour into the half.
Lucas took control of the game and his combinations with the two Macs – McDermott and McReight led to many a break for the Qld team.
Further tries to Eadie, McDermott and Gorman left the final tally at 48 points for the Qld team.
To their credit the WA boys never gave up and kept competing right until the final whistle.
It was a big improvement from Qld1 from their first game and if they take their second half form into the NSW II clash it should be a close and exciting game.
Queensland II 22 – ACT 10
by Lee Grant
ACT was the dominant team in the first half but Queensland II lifted their game after oranges and were impressive.
ACT scrummie Ryan Lonergan sprinted down touch before he was felled and when the ball went wide, 23 Jordan Nicholls scored in an embrace. Flyhalf Hansen used lineout ball lost by Queensland in the ACT 22 and dished it to 7 Gersekowski, right on the money, for him to score wide.
The mountain men led 10-0 at 23 minutes. It looked like another Queensland drubbing, but they came back.
Both teams were kicking the ball from the west to float the ball east or grubbering it low to not float it. And when Qld lock Wilson charged a low one he found it in his hands and had nothing but grass in front of him, quite a way out. Try.
Half-time score: ACT 10 – Queensland II 5.
Straight after the restart Queensland 22 De Flavis grubbered superbly for 25 Mack, who had no contenders for the ball, which he grounded to bring the scores level. Flyhalf McCarthy got the only kick of the day over the crossbar and the northerners lead 12-10.
Then reserve hooker Raven burrowed over after 22 occupation and ten minutes after the break the Red team led 17-10.
Queensland weren’t being fancy: they were playing in the wind more accurately.
The killer blow for ACT came after they lost a lineout in their 22, and after some time at the crease a Harbour Bridge pass in the wind by Queensland actually worked and Mack ran outside a defender to dot down his second..
Final score: Queensland II 22 – ACT 10.
Queensland deserved their victory and should be commended for bouncing back after disappointment on Day 1.
Hooker Matthew Faessler was noticeable for them again, as was outside back Callum Hicks. THP Joshua Nasser was hard to stop in the tight but so were many others such as 8 Timote Tavalea.
For the ACT, halves 9 Ryan Lonergan and 10 Mackenzie Hansen had commanding games in the first half and lock Jayme Field was a standout.
NSW II 18 – Victoria 11
by “Covered”
Victoria didn’t end up wth the chocolates but they went close. They did however walk away with plenty of admirers. They’re a well-drilled, tough and talented team.
As for NSW: they won their second match, but it wasn’t pretty. They just had a little more polish and speed to their game in converting opportunities into points; and their goal kickers were on target. But you can only play as well as the opposition allows you to play and it was a tough, grinding match.
Victoria were the first to score. After gaining a string of penalties and controlling the ball expertly, big no. 8 Finefeuiaki went on one of his many rampaging runs to offload to 14 Tippett who dived over in the corner. Victoria 5-0
NSW started to mount pressure through good phases of play. 9 Jordan went on darting runs; the forwards carried the ball forward strongly; the backs threw it around, but they couldn’t crack the uncompromising defence. At one point 13 Paisami cruelled a backline movement by putting on the biggest hit of the tournament.
NSW eventually put on a neat switch play from a scrum and good hands saw Smeallie cross out wide. 14 Rixon converted from the sideline
Half-time score: NSW II 7 – Victoria 5.
NSW started to get on the right side of the penalty count after the break and Rixon took aim with a three pointer. NSW 10-5
Victoria returned serve with a penalty goal from 9 Turner. NSW 10-8.
Neither side was giving an inch in the arm wrestle, but 13 Armstrong broke through on a strong run and scored in the corner under an avalanche of defenders. NSW 15-8.
22 Harrison kicked another penalty goal for NSW before Turner potted another one for Victoria right on the bell.
Final score: NSW II 18 – Victoria 11. Victoria took the final penalty to gain a losing bonus point by coming within 7 points of NSW.
Best for Victoria: Man of the match 8 Finefeuiaki – and 13 Paiami, but they all played well.
For NSW: 6 Rorke, Jordan, 8 Gleeson, Armstrong and 2 Bristowe.
Reports on Day 1 Division I fixtures
Day 1 report.
Disclaimer – our writers depend on the official programmes for the names of the players they don’t know; so please bear with us if nominated players have been substituted before or during the Championships.
Photos by Lee Grant
