THE Queensland Cross Pool Finals of the GIO Cup were played earlier at BMD Kougari this week with Wavell State High and Palm Beach Currumbin winning through to the National Quarter Finals on Tuesday next week.
Read the match wraps from the Queensland games below:
Wavell State High v St Brendan’s Yeppoon
WAVELL State High School have continued their impressive run in the 2014 GIO Schoolboy Cup with a dominant display against St Brendan’s Yeppoon, defeating the visitors 58-6 at Kougari Oval, Wynnum.
Wavell started well and were first on the board when a quick play the ball from prop Riley Leota allowed quick ball movement to Michael Molo who forced his way over to score. The next 10 minutes were an arm wrestle, with both sides looking to assert their authority on the match. It was not until the 18th minute that winger Blake Blomley crossed for Wavell’s second.
Down 12-0, St Brendan’s hit back three minutes later when centre Maia Raihe took an interception 40m the other way to score, with Jarmaine Willet adding the extras. Wavell scored once more just before halftime, when Logan Spaander put Molo into space before the prop was taken down just short of the line. A quick play the ball allowed Wavell to spread the ball wide for Keenan Yorston to score.
The 16-6 halftime score gave St Brendan’s the opportunity for a comeback, however when Yorston crossed for his second and Riley Leota went in shortly after, Wavell’s lead had blown out to 22 points with only five minutes played in the second half.
And the tries kept coming for Wavell, with back rower Alex Albert joining in on the action diving over to score from a sweep play on the last. Molo ran off a Joshua Fauid short pass to score under the posts for his second, while Blake Blomley, Kalemb Hart and Patrick Akauola all added their names to the scorer’s column. Wavell’s Joshua Fauid was voted GIO’s Most Trusted Player.
WAVELL STATE HIGH SCHOOL 58 (Michael Molo 2, Patrick Akauola, Alexandre Albert, Blake Blomley, David Fauid, Kalemb Hart, Riley Leota, Keenan Yorston tries; Jack Miers 6, Logan Spaander 3 goals) def ST BRENDAN’S COLLEGE 6 (Maia Raihe try; Jarmaine Willett goal) at BMD Kougari Oval, Wynnum.
Man of the Match: Joshua Fauid, Wavell State High School
KIRWAN STATE HIGH v PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN STATE HIGH
THE second game of the day saw two Queensland rugby league school heavyweights compete in what was expected to be an enthralling encounter. Kirwan were leaving no stone unturned in travelling to Brisbane two days early to ensure they had the best preparation possible, however Palm Beach proved too strong running out 22-4 victors.
Palm Beach were first on the scoreboard in the 13th minute when halfback Jack Cook sliced through the Kirwan defence from 10m out. Two minutes later and they were in once more, when hooker Koby Annand raced from dummy half and drew the tackle to send second rower Daymeric Pelo into space to score.
With Kirwan defence looking shaky Annand was at it once more, this time jumping right from dummy half to hit a rampaging Keegan Hipgrave who was able to muscle his way over, before Sam Ross added the extras to send Palm Beach Currumbin into the break with a 14-0 lead.
Kirwan came out of the blocks to start the second half, eager to prove their means. After repeated attacking sets and some dogged Palm Beach defence, it was only a matter of time however before Kirwan made the breakthrough. It was Jai Wisley who did the damage, turning inside onto a flick pass to run through the defence and score, giving Kirwan hope with 14 minutes remaining. It was not to be however, with Shezia Compain scoring in the left corner soon after to round out the scoring and give Palm Beach Currumbin the 22-4 victory. Captain Keegan Hipgrave was named the GIO Most Trusted Player.
PALM BEACH-CURRUMBIN STATE HIGH SCHOOL 22 (Daymeric Pelo 2, Jack Cook, Keegan Hipgrave tries; Samuel Ross goal) def KIRWAN STATE HIGH SCHOOL 4 (Jai Wisley try) at BMD Kougari Oval, Wynnum.
Man of the Match: Keegan Hipgrave, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School
FINALS FORMAT:
The National Quarter Finals of the NRL GIO Schoolboy Cup have now been decided with all four games being played next Tuesday, August 19.
The GIO Quarter Final Series will see double headers in both Queensland and NSW:
Sportingbet Stadium Penrith:
11am - Endeavour Sports High v Farrer MAHS
1pm - Patrician Brothers Blacktown v Erindale College
Kougari Oval Wynnum Manly:
2pm – Wavell State High School v Matraville Sports High School
3.30pm - Palm Beach Currumbin v The Hills Sports High School
The winners of the Quarter Finals will progress through to the NRL GIO Schoolboy Cup Semi Finals which will be played on Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27 at venues to be confirmed.
