GAME 1 of the Queensland School Sport Rugby League State Championships brought an all-important match to Mackay's John Bickmore Oval.
A strong Capricornia side went head-to-head against the Presidents XIII side, a team that was just as eager to prove their name.
Although both teams missed out on being either the Championship team or Consolation Cup winners in 2013, these defeats only made the sides that much more eager for a win.
Capricornia fired into the first half, making ground time and time again and pushing through the President's defence within the first 10 minutes of the game. Capricornia hooker Sean Anderson was able to lay down the first four pointer of the match and a successful conversion by Winger Lindsey Jarrett left the score at 6-0.
The team continued with their impressive line of attack, slipping past their opponents easily while keeping their own line of defence strong. Just a few minutes after the first try, Capricornia's five-eighth Cody-John Clark was able to score again on the left side of the tryline.
Before the first half was over, Capricornia charged through another two times with try scorers Jacob Schill and Jack Collins bringing the score up to 22-0 with the help of two successful conversions from Jarrett – an enormous lead that would give Capricornia the confidence they needed going into the second half.
In the final half of the game, the Presidents XIII were able to put some points on the scoreboard with Sam Downes scoring the team’s first four pointer after making a swift break through Capricornia's front rowers. Reece Braun successfully converted this try leaving the score at 28-6 with just 15 minutes left in the match.
Not letting the time limit affect them, the Presidents XIII gained some much needed momentum towards the end of the match, picking up another try thanks to winger Lewis Huckstep.
Determined not to leave the second half without making a dent; Capricornia showed some of the skill that gave them such an impressive head start.
The last 10 minutes of the game had try scorer Clark laying down another one on the right try line, closely followed by centre Maia Raihe, who scored the last try of the match. An unsuccessful conversion left the final score standing at 34 - 10.
Capricornia's trainer Toby Poole was extremely happy with the win.
“I thought the team's performance was outstanding. The pressure in defence was amazing and there was plenty of consistency in the middle,” Poole said.
Going forward into the next few days, Poole said he side would have to work on a few minor points within their game.
“A bit more control with the ball would help. We also need to make sure that even after having good ball we still expect it in the next set,” he said.
Going off on last year's results and factoring in Capricornia's win today, the team will go into the top 8 for the remainder of the championship, while Presidents XIII will play in the Consolation Cup.
The full results from Day 1 can be viewed here: Results: Day 1 QSSRL Under 18
