Here you go - an overall view of the final day
By ROD THOMPSON
EXCLUSIVE TO OURFOOTYTEAM.COM
Rod is a Sports Writer with the Port MacQuarie Newspaper
FIRST they captured the State of Origin series, now Queensland has won the Australian Secondary Schools 18 Years Rugby League Championships.
In front of a big crowd at Port Macquarie’s Regional Sports Stadium on Friday, Queensland wrestled the prestigious schoolboy title from New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSW CCC) 24-14.
As NRL chief executive David Gallop looked on, the young Queenslanders secured the final, and championship crown, with a try in the dying seconds.
Although Queensland led from start to finish, NSW CCC had a strong opportunity to claim the match mid-way through the second half.
However, poor handling - as well as a committed Queensland defensive line - proved the difference.
Queensland raced to a 12-0 lead early through tries to five-eighth Luke Capewell and second-rower Kevin Procter, which were both converted by halfback Chris Sandow.
Talented NSW CCC five-eighth Mitchell Pearce reduced the margin to 12-4.
When fullback Shannon Walker crossed, and Sandow landed the kick, Queensland surged further ahead 18-4 - and the game looked all but over.
A second try to Pearce, plus a Liam Foram conversion, and a four-pointer from lock Joseph Paulo gave NSW CCC a sniff at 18-14.
But, Galu Teo flew high above the pack to touch down out wide in the final minute to give Queensland its fourth triumph in the tournament’s 26-year history. Sandow raised the flags for a 24-14 scoreline.
Sandow, from Marsden State High School, was named the Australian Training Company player of the final.
As a result of Queensland’s success, 12 players - Jay Ashton, Luke Capewell, Israel Folau, Obadiah Geia, David Hala, Will Matthews, Procter, Sandow, Nathan Strudwick, David Taylor, Walker and Jeremiah Walters - were chosen in the national team for the Corporate Sports Australia Tour of Wales, England and France.
NSW CCC gained some consolation with eight representatives - Foram, Chris Lawrence, Joseph Paulo, Pearce, Timothy Robinson, Ratu Peni, Joel Thompson and Aiden Tolman - also packing their bags for the overseas trip.
In the Sam Davey Plate Final, New South Wales Combined Independent Schools crushed Victoria 62-0, with five-eighth Ryan Stig contributing 22 points from a try and nine goals.
New South Wales Combined High Schools also accounted for ACT 40-18.
Results:
Championship Final:
Queensland 24 (Luke Capewell, Kevin Proctor, Shannon Walker, Galu Teo tries; Chris Sandow 4 goals) defeated NSW CCC 14 (Mitchell Pearce 2, Joseph Paulo tries; Liam Foran goal)
Sam Davey Plate Final:
NSW CIS 62 (Luke Towers 2, Joel Brown 2, Jarryd Wearne 2, Ryan Stig, Tim Mannah, Jack MacPherson, Johnny Mannah, Fine Moeakiola tries; Ryan Stig 9 goals) defeated Victoria 0 |
Rod " Rocket " REDDY will be sending in an exculsive report about the Australian Secondary School UNDER 18's Championships in Port MacQuarie. 
"We're a week-to-week proposition," he said.
