IN A TOP CLASS GAMES OF SCHOOLBOY RUGBY LEAGUE , Camden HS defeated defending champions Airds HS to claim the U/15 Division 1 Wests Leagues Cup for season 2006.

Camden HS made the best possible start when after only 4 minutes, clever hooker Dale Bester snuck over to open the scoring. The conversion from centre Zac Bourke took the score to 6-0 and elevated Camden’s hopes of victory.

However, defending Wests Leagues Cup premiers Airds HS were not going to let Camden HS have it all their own way and in a scintillating ten minute period established a commanding 18-6 lead through tries to Francis Lemalie, Ratu Tagive and Nga Eli. Airds HS were powering towards the defence of their title.

However, just as they seemed destined to score again, a Camden HS intercept turned the tide of the half in their favour. Airds HS didn’t see the ball again as tries to half Matt Brasington, centre Mitchell Holz and prop Neil Begovitch saw them enter halftime with an unlikely 22-18 lead.

The second half was a see-sawing affair. A powerful Eli try and magnificent Tagive conversion saw Airds take the lead again 24-22. A clever game plan based around dummy half running and early clearing kicks saw the Airds HS pack tire markedly. On the back of a few incisive runs by Bourke and elusive winger Chad Rogers, electric half Brasington scored a brilliant individual try to once again prize the lead away from the Airds team. A late try to Taylor Haines, from a brilliant Begovitch offload saw Camden HS wrap up victory.

Camden HS half Matt Brasington was named John Skandalis medalist as man of the match and received a framed Wests Tigers jersey for his efforts.

The win completed the perfect day for Camden HS who earlier defeated John Edmonson HS 20-18 in the U/13 Division 3 decider to claim their first WLC trophy. Skilfully led by crafty half Mitchell Brasington and tough prop Jarrod Giorgindes, Camden HS secured victory in he last three minutes over an unlucky Edmonson team. Strong running pivot Jake Townsend received the man of the match award for the John Edmonson HS team.

Ambarvale HS marked a highly successful Wests Leagues Cup debut year with two premierships in the U/13 Division 2 and U/15 Division 3 Grand Finals. In the U/13s game, Ambarvale won out 38-16 after the scores had only been 16-12 at halftime. Led by brilliant halfback Tyrone Millard and big lock Fred Ashton, the ‘Two Blues’ had too much firepower for a gallant Lurnea HS team.

In the U/15s, the Ambarvale HS team were spurred on to victory by a highly enthusiastic crowd, eventually defeating Casula HS 14-8 in what had been a very tight contest. Scoring two tries, talented five-eighth Barry Leasi was named man of the match. He was ably supported by big second rower Matthew Nand. For Casula HS, Jason Supple was a most deserving man of the match, with Jarrod Wicks also trying hard to help their team defend their Division 3 crown.

Ingleburn HS were crowned inaugural U/13 Division 1 title winners with an emphatic 38-28 victory over Airds HS. Led by lock Sonny Bristow, the green and golds scored in the first set of six tackles and by halftime had established a commanding 22-8 lead through tries to Bristow (3) and centre Junior Gumapas.

Early second half tries to Dylan Maher and a dummy half special to Adam Booth saw them extend their lead. Airds HS came back well towards the end, but were never in the hunt. Sonny Bristow received the Brett Hodgson Medal as man of the match, also leaving the stadium with a framed Wests Tigers jersey for hs trouble. Airds HS unearthed a potential star of the future in their elusive pivot Jaline Graham who deservingly received man of the match honours for his team.

James Busby HS claimed their first ever WLC title with a 20-6 victory over Picton HS in the U/15 Division 2 game. Led by athletic backrower Timothy Ta, who received the Bryce Gibbs Medal, Busby were dominant throughout, establishing a premiership winning 16-0 lead early in the second half. Prop Dale Mulheisen made it back to back man of the match awards for Picton HS, trying valiantly to lift his school to victory.