THE Townsville Stingers put on an impressive display to claim this year's Under 18 National Final with a 36-16 win over the Sydney Roosters.
Townsville were dominant from the very beginning and came out with strong intent and were nearly over the line in the opening moments, but were held up over the line.
It didn’t take them too long to get on the board however, with speedy winger Gideon Mosby-Gela diving over.
Mosby-Gela proved difficult for the Roosters to handle – with the eventual man of the match making a number of tackle and line breaks throughout the afternoon.
The Roosters forwards came to 1300SMILES Stadium with a formidable reputation – but it seemed like their epic state final win last weekend over Penrith took a lot out of the players, who could not match the power of the Stingers.
Former junior Outback representative Coen Hess was a strong performer for the home side – with the backrow forward crossing for two tries in quick succession. Prop Kurt De Luis then scored a good front-rower’s try – crashing over.
The Roosters were finally able to get on the board when winger Johnny Tuivasa-Scheck flew over to score the first points for his side. They were to be the only points for the Sydney side in the first half, who went into halftime trailing 18-4.
The break did little to halt the Stingers momentum however, with lock forward Jordan Kenworthy joining in on the point-scoring act, crashing over for the first of his two four-pointers.
He scored his second almost immediately after – with Mosby-Gela helping set up the try with another elusive run downfield.
Although down, the Roosters didn’t give up all match and were rewarded when prop Poasa Foamausili was rewarded with a try after diving under Stingers defenders.
However, they could not stop the points keep flowing from the Stingers with Richie Munchow successfully chasing through a kick..
The Roosters scored a consolation try right before fulltime with big prop Shiem Fuimaono going over.
The win capped a great season for the Stingers and their coach Steve Sheppard – with all their key players stepping up when it counted in front of their home supporters.
TOWNSVILLE STINGERS 36 (Coen Hess 2, Jordan Kenworthy 2, Gideon Mosby-Gela, Richie Munchow, Kurt De Luis tries; Cooper Bambling 4 goals) def SYDNEY ROOSTERS 16 (Johnny Tuivasa-Scheck, Poasa Foamausili, Shiem Fuimaono tries; Paul Momorovski 2 goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville.
Man of the Match: Gideon Mosby-Gela (Townsville Stingers).
Photo: Steve Bell Photography
*You can catch the (replayed) action on FOX Sports at these times:
Under 18 - May 21, 4pm and May 24, 9.30am
Under 16 - May 23, 4.30pm and May 24, 10.30am
