Cowra High School wrapped up a magnificent football season with a comprehensive victory over Coonabarabran High School at Energy Australia Stadium in Newcastle on Wednesday 20th September.

This game was all about the best Comprehensive High School in the state as the University Shield is now fought out between the specialist sports high schools. The game began early at 10.45 am with both teams working each other out and getting the sleep out of their eyes. Cowra were in danger early with Coonabarabran breaking up the middle only to be stopped by a ball and all tackle by winger Lee McClintock. Following this Cowra worked the ball down the field and sent it out wide for Luke Colby to bump through the centres and score. From then Cowra had the upper hand scoring soon after before Coonabarabran hit back. The score at half-time was 18-10.

The early part of the second half saw Coonabarabran reminding the crowd why they were in the final with some inspired play coming from the number 6. With this momentum they pushed in front to get to 22-18. With Cowra on the back foot it looked like Coona’s day until they gave away a silly penalty for lashing out in a tackle. This also led to a player of theirs being put in the bin. After this it was Cowra’s day with three quick converted tries to bring the score out to 36-18. Coonabarabran fought back late to get it to 36-24 but Cowra sealed the match with a final try to go out winners at 40-24.

Cowra’s Aaron Denzel (halfback) was named man of the match with Nathan Mossman (lock) and Luke Colby (centre) having strong games. Coonabarabran’s Five Eight was named Newcastle Knights player of the match.

Congratulations go to Cowra and their coaching staff of Rod Eastwood and Leigh Morrisey. Thankyou also to Brendan James for driving the team to Newcastle and to Geoff Wooldridge, Tony Fahey, and Steve Johnstone of Cowra High School who provide support when needed.

SOURCE : Geoff WOOLDRIDGE
Principal : Cowra High School

* EXCLUSIVE TO ourfootyteam.com
by : Bill NORTH

DUBBO COLLEGE HAMMERS BRISBANE WATERS

The Dubbo Senior College rugby league team will meet Endeavour Sports High School in the semi-final of the University Shield after a spirited and determined 50-16 win against Brisbane Waters Secondary College at No 1 Oval yesterday.

In front of a grandstand packed with students from all three campuses of the high school, Dubbo approached the game pumped up and on a mission.

Criticised of playing high error football in previous rounds and coming up against a reputable team, many had written the boys off before the whistle.

However disciplined football and high completion rates were a feature as Brisbane Waters struggled to find a way into the match.

Dubbo made inroads early against a complacent Brisbane Waters side and Andrew Madden barged over for his first of three tries after just five minutes.

Kurt Beahan came into the fray early with a weaving run to score his only try of the match before workhorse Brodie Chapman crossed to have Brisbane Waters rattled and trailing 16-0.

Then, a Beahan masterstroke capped off a decisive first 20 minutes, drawing the opposite fullback down the blindside of a scrum on the first tackle he kicked through for winger Luke Dawson to win the race and score.

Brisbane Waters never fully recovered and only a late first half try to Jeremy Williams kept them in the game at 22-6.

In the second half they looked likely to score first and no one was prepared to doubt them just yet.

However, after several sets of sustained pressure, Brad Marks did well to pull down a bomb and stay inside the field of play and release the tension.

From there Anthony Toomey and Grey made counter attacking raids for Madden to eventually score down the other end in the same tackle count.

John Grey’s crunching tackles and blistering bursts began to wear down the Brisbane Waters forwards and an organised Dubbo defence kept the frustrated opposition at bay.

The unmistakable Madden with his Hindmarsh-like runs and flowing locks continued to batter the defence while Chapman proved to be ever-reliable and above his years whenever he touched the ball.

Brisbane Waters scored twice more through Brett Sonter and Max Perkins but Dubbo finished the game off much how it began with four tries in the space of twenty minutes.

While Dubbo may have expected a tougher fight, a similar brazen approach will be required against Endeavour.

DUBBO COLLEGE	50 - 16	BRISBANE WATERS
TRIES : Andrew Madden 3, Jeremy Brown 2, Kurt Beahan, Brodie Chapman, Luke Dawson, Brad Marks GOALS : Chapman 7		TRIES : Jeremy Williams, Brett Sonter, Max Perkins GOALS : Daniel Nicholls 2

Story By : BILL NORTH
bill is the sports writer for the DUBBO LIBERAL
www.dubbo.yourguide.com.au

The Open Boys team, coached by the college's sport academy co-ordinators Mr Mark Cribb and Mr Matt Marker, has won its way through to the finals with some "outstanding performances" against the leading senior colleges in the state, according to relieving college principal Mr Gus Vrolyk.

Mr Cribb said the team had "impressive wins" over Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College and Callaghan Senior College and a gutsy win against Freshwater Senior College from Sydney North.

"They are playing great rugby league and growing in confidence with each successive game," Mr Cribb said.

"We now take on the western region champions, Dubbo Senior College, for a crack at a semi final berth."

Mr Vrolyk said: "The Open Boys team is a product of the College's Sport Academy program in rugby league and this year's team is demonstrating the benefit of first rate opportunities afforded by the academy program.

"The team is also fortunate in having the coaches of the calibre of Mr Cribb and Mr Marker and the support of Country Rugby League."

Mr Vrolyk said the likely squad for the Dubbo trip would be Josh Foley (captain), Michael Smith (vice-captain), Aku Uate, Martin Jeffrey, Jim Fawcett, Cheyne Hall, Jason Overton, Daniel Nicholls, Joel Weeks, Jeremy Williams, Brett Sonter, Dylan Smith, Junior Qata, Robert Woodger, Steve Little, Tom Crocker, Beau Bovis, Michael Quirk, Alex Brown, Max Perkins, Brett Jackson, Michael Paterson, Tom Reid and Nick Cama.

Press release, August 14 Gus Vrolyk, Brisbane Water Secondary College

Wednesday, 16 August 2006

FARRER Memorial Agricultural High School was dumped from the University Shield by a slick and well drilled Endeavour Sports High School 50-8 at Farrer's John Simpson Oval yesterday.

There was success to follow for Farrer though, the Buckley Shield side (under 14s) accounting for James Cook High School 38-12 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Ryan Pooley crossed for a double and added a conversion, while Cameron Rodgers booted four goals including one to convert his own first half try. Mark Turnbull, Luke Anderson and Nathan Whale rounded out the scorecard.

In the senior match Endeavour overcame an early shock when Farrer centre Ryan Fahey scored out wide. The lead was short-lived however with the visitors taking a handy 26-4 advantage to the break and finishing with a 10-try to two win.

Props Anthony Cherrington, Juda Wikeepa and Matt Mundine (cousin of Anthony "Choc" Mundine) led the way for Endeavour.

CHS star Cherrington made some big runs while Mundine, still only 16, was dangerous throughout, scoring a try and setting up a couple with his ball-playing ability.

Halfback Daniel Ezekid also spearheaded the attack, the CHS representative's crisp passing sending supports into gaps.

Endeavour coach Brad Kelly was delighted with the win.

"We left three or four of our Arrive alive squad at home today," Kelly said.

"It was a good game. They played well. This team has been playing together for the past six years."

Farrer went into the game without three of its stars – Matt Cameron, Jono Madden and Jake Hawkins – and Farrer coach Darren Smith believed his depleted side could have performed much better with them in the defensive line.

"They would have made a difference," Smith said.

"But I thought we competed well. We got them to make 13 mistakes in the first half and 12 in the second. I thought that was pretty good."

Farrer made its own mistakes though in the first half, turning over the ball on early tackles.

Captain Zac Russ had one of his best games, making a number of breaks and saving at least two tries with some strong tackles. Prop Angus McHattan ran all game while Seb Swain, Tom Hollis and winger Damien Meppem also made big contributions.

Endeavour Sports High School	50 - 8	Farrer Memorial Agricultural H. S.
TRIES : Brad Ellis 2, Ken Naiquama 2, Luke Letele, Matt Mundine, Daniel Randall, Sene Tala, Martin Taupau, Daniel Ezekid GOALS : Mundine 4, Daniel Fepuleai		TRIES : Ryan Fahey, Pat Hunt GOALS : 0

Coach Scott Jacklin understands the game will be played next Thursday.

He said the team's defence was decisive against Terrigal.

"We coughed up a bit of ball in the first half, but we dominated the second," he said.

Prop Peter Hamilton, 15-year-old hooker Jordan Hinton and halfback Todd Bridge were outstanding for Chatham while front rower Mick Hardy was a worker.

Chatham dominated field position in the second half after holding a 16-14 lead at the break.

This is the school's best performance in the Uni Shield since the halcyon years of 1980-82 when Chatham made three successive finals, winning in 1980/81.

The Darren Smith-coached side was bundled out of the Arrive alive Cup last week, suffering one of their heaviest defeats, and they are still counting the cost with Matt Cameron and Damien Meppem both picking up injuries that will prevent them taking the field today.

Adding to the injury woes Johno Madden damaged his ankle playing for Werris Creek on Sunday, while Kieran Fisher and Jeremy Eather are also unavailable.

On the plus side inspirational skipper Zac Russ returns at fullback, his leadership something that was missed against St Dominic's Penrith last week, Smith said.

"They're a little bit down after a bit of a smacking in Sydney, but they've got to turn up and play, which they failed to do in Sydney," Smith said.

"They've got to turn that around, show a bit of mental aptitude."

Smith wasn't disappointed in all aspects of his side's performance against St Dom's, but felt they got exposed around the ruck and he's been drumming plenty of defence work into the preparations.

"We were beaten pretty solidly around the ruck in Sydney," he said. "We helped ourselves out in the second half, stemming that a bit."

That showed on the scoreboard, conceding just 18 points in the second half, but Smith is still looking for more from his side in defence against a handy Chatham side.

"They've got a couple of good forwards who we know of and a great little half-back," Smith said.

That half-back is the son of former Balmain and Easts player Gary Bridge, and has been one of their spearheads in a Uni Shield season where they defeated Terrigal 30-14 in the last round.

Farrer's injuries have led to a pack and backline reshuffle with Daniel Rindfleisch coming into the front row for Cameron, and Anthony Godson the second row, while Tom Hollis has been promoted from the bench to hooker with Seb Swain shifting to half-back for Fisher.

The match kicks-off at 12.45pm.

FARRER: 1 Zac Russ (capt), 2 Luke Perry, 3 Ryan Fahey, 4 Sam Plevey, 5 Will Gardner, 6 Jake Hawkins, 7 Seb Swain, 8 Daniel Rindfleisch, 9 Tom Hollis, 10 Angus McHattan, 11 Pat Hunt, 12 Anthony Godson, 13 Jackson Laurie, 14 Paul Lambell, 15 Rowan Pettit, 16 Peter Perfrement, 17 Scott Blanch, 18 Tom Woods, 19 Tom Simpson.
Coach – Darren Smith,
Manager – Jeff Guider.

Trailing 16-10 with 30 minutes to go, Young High produced a top-shelf display of razzle-dazzle rugby league to win the Riverina final of the prestigious University Shield 30-22 at Alfred Oval yesterday.

In front of a massive crowd, it was the experience of halves Ryan Kay and Chris Campbell that helped get Young out of jail, with Junee High appearing on top after a tense first-half struggle.

Powerful centre Michael Dawe levelled proceedings at 16-all with a well-worked try in the 48th minute, setting the scene for an explosive finish.

But it failed to eventuate, Young High running in the next three four-pointers to snare a comfortable victory.

A Campbell bomb inspired a 53rd-minute four-pointer out wide for Ross Knight, before a stunning 70m try five minutes later speared the home side to a 26-16 lead.

Kay broke through out wide before finding Campbell in support, who turned inside for Dean Kinna to barge over under the sticks.

And when Aaron Maxwell crossed for a cheeky dummy-half try with five minutes left, the Alfred Oval stand erupted.

Apart from Kay and Campbell, Dean and Scott Kinna shone with some bruising defence.

Young High will now progress to take on Dubbo Secondary College in the next phase of the tournament.

They controlled pessession and maintained their enthusiasmn in the second half and came back on top with a 37-24 winning result.