Churchie at State High (39-0)
TheKing
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Churchie continued their undefeated streak with a dominant 39-0 victory over a young Brisbane State High outfit at Fursden Road.
A stellar performance from Churchie’s forwards and backs in tandem laid the platform to outscore their hosts five-tries to nil.
Flanker James MacMillan was appraised the latest great openside to emerge from Churchie’s production-line after winning five turnovers in a classic man-of-the-match performance.
MacMillan said: “State High are known to come out very strong and physical, but we knew that if we weathered the storm we would create opportunities.
“Coming in to the game we knew Martin Koorts would be a massive challenge … we’re both openside flankers, so we’ve pretty much been rivals on the field all the way through, and he was one of State High’s best again today.
“It’s so important in rugby to win the battle up front, so guys like [front row trio] Joel Kuchel, Jacob WIlliams and Angus Wagner were amazing in the work they got done … in the end that only makes our lives in the back-row that much easier.
“We’re really lucky to have some really strong playmakers in the inside backs, because when the spine of the team is strong it just lets everyone else focus on getting their own roles right,” MacMillan said.
According to Brisbane State High coach Lachlan Parkinson, the wealth of attacking talent in Churchie’s backline was the difference in the match while an early yellow card to centre Antonio Pouhila only exacerbated State High’s difficulties defending them.
Parkinson said: “We really wanted to shut down their 10-12 combination, obviously Brodie [Croft] and Jayden [Su’a] are really good footy players and they get their team going forward, so that was the real emphasis in defence this week.
“We would cut them down early to deny them fast ball, and then execute our plan off that.
“That yellow card really hurt us by putting us right under the pump from the get-go.
“It’s a credit to Churchie that they played really good rugby while we had 14 players on the field” Parkinson said.
The Pouhila send-off proved disastrous for State High when opposite number Tristan Stanghorn smashed through the vacant 13-channel for Churchie’s first try on the following phase.
Flyhalf Brodie Croft dummied to his inside shortly after, bouncing out of a big tackle and racing away for his fourth of the season to extend the lead to 14-0.
Despite welcoming Antonio Pouhila back to the field State High’s backline defence was still found wanting.
Brisbane Bronco’s Under-20s star Jayden Su’a scored his first try of the year for ACGS after receiving a short-switch inside the 22, showing off perfect footwork in powering his way to the line.
State High’s defence improved steadily as the half progressed thanks to the physical tackling of prop Josh Te Hira and backrower Patrick Tafa.
Australian Schoolboys lock Harry Hockings, reportedly standing at over 200 cm, was so dominant in the air that State High didn’t bother contesting on defence.
BSHS would go on to rue six missed opportunities to close out the first half with a try in reply, handling errors in particular stunting any building momentum.
A yellow card to Jayden Su’a left a gaping hole in Churchie’s midfield but State High again failed to land a telling blow, despite threatening on several occasions.
Churchie kicked another penalty before Jayden Su’a returned, making an immediate impact to send Tristan Stanghorn through a hole on the right.
Unable to link up with support Stanghorn took contact, leaving the try to be scored by prop Angus Wagner on a pick and drive to take the score to 29-0.
Stanghorn’s big day continued with another linebreak, this time finding Jayden Su’a on his inside for a great team try.
Not finished yet, an Angus Wagner turnover gifted Churchie a counter-attacking opportunity finished with class by reserve winger Wilson Gough, on replacing an injured Jake Mason.
While 39-0 was a fair result for a one-sided match, several Brisbane State High players were excellent individually.
Coach Parkinson praised halfback Tim Sippel’s service throughout the match, as well as the work rate of front-rowers Josh Te Hira and Lloyd Gorman.
Man of the match MacMillan said: “There are so many great teams running around capable of winning the competition, but if we play to our strengths like we did today then there’s no reason why that couldn’t be us.”
Churchie will have their undefeated status tested at home by Toowoomba Grammar School, which will be live-streamed here at 2:00pm: http://livestream.com/Churchie-LiveStream/ACGSvTGS
Brisbane State High will have their work cut out for them playing Brisbane Grammar at home in a match that may well be the only one either school wins in 2015.
Teams
ACGS BSHS
Angus Wagner Clinton Malolua
Jacob Williams Pierce Springhall
Joel Kuchel Josh Te Hira
Harry Hockings Rudi Levi
Ash Whitehead Zac Shepherd
Henry Sharp Ben McKenzie
James McMillan Marty Koorts
Sam Wallis Patrick Tafa
Matt Oberholzer Tim Sippel
Brodie Croft Andre Clark
Joel Papa Quinton Mahina
Jayden Su’a Matt Smit
Tristan Stanghorn Antonio Pouhila
Fraser Suffren Jackson Tame
Jake Mason Murray Taulagi
