Schoolboy Cup Rnd 2 Patrician Brothers Fairfield defeat Holy Cross College
Author : Jocelyn Airth Daily Telegraph
Joshua Alhazim produced the clutch play in the final minutes to deliver Fairfield Patrician Brothers a thrilling victory against Holy Cross College.
Joshua Alhazim scored a gritty last-minute try to secure Patrician Brothers Fairfield a thrilling 20-18 victory over Holy Cross College in Round 2 of the NRL Schoolboy Cup.
It was a tight and seesawing affair at Ryde that ended in heartbreak for the home team, who led up until Alhazim’s clutch play in the final two minutes.
The atmosphere was nothing short of electric. Both schools sprinted through roaring guards of honour that spanned 30 metres onto the field.
Holy Cross’ passionate gladiator mascot paced up and down the sideline, revving up the home crowd. Patties’ fans were just as vocal — drumming and chanting all night.
After being denied an early try, Patties opened the scoring via flyer Sam Samani who dived over on the left. Minutes later Samani crashed over again to bag a double and extend his school’s lead to 8-0 lead.
Patrician Brothers Fairfield celebrate a try in their narrow win against Holy Cross College. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Just when it looked like Patties would run away with it, Holy Cross’ debutant Cooper Wheelhouse stepped up.
The young hooker scored a gritty try from dummy half off the back of a blistering break by second rower Will Carroll.
Corey Akers seized back momentum when he crossed on Patties’ dominant the left edge.
Five-eighth Ati Teaupa then scored his own try off a brilliant left foot step and Holy Cross trailed 14-12 at half time.
Play seesawed in the second half, as both teams struggled to find the line.
Holy Cross’ skipper Jaxson Rahme barged over thanks to a beautiful offload by Sione Latoa Vaih and pushed Holy Cross ahead for the first time 18-14.
The final minutes saw both no.7s sin-binned and 12 on 12 go at it.
Both teams were courageous in defence but, in the end, it was Patties skipper Alhazim who crashed over in the last two minutes.
Taj’h Colquhoun slotted the conversion to seal his school’s thrilling 20-18 victory.
Patrician Brothers coach Frank Pritchard said before the game some of the schools old boys came to talk to the teeam about their experience playing for the school and the value of playing in the Blue
Schoolboy Cup – Team Lists Round 2
Holy Cross College, Ryde
Dion Lendon
Cameron Kanaan
Savi Moala
Angus Gray
Max Braham
Ati Teaupa
Aaron Kurnoth
Vako Aho
Cooper Wheelhouse
Jaxson Rahme (c)
Will Carroll
Ryan Swain
Sione Latoa Vaihu
Andrew Mussillo
Keenan Lawandos
Michael Geddes
Wilkinson Papalii
Coach: Tim White
Trainers: John McLaughlin (Orange Shirt), Michael Gabreal, Michael Lorenti
Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
Taj’h Colquhoun
Godfrey Ilavalu
Sione Lolohea
Perosi Papalii
Sam Samani
Chad Daniels
Terence Lafai
Matthew Alhazim
Yeyha Ayache (c)
Jordan Miller
Corey Ackers
Joshua Alhazim (c)
Bailey Myers
Joshua Vilarosa
Massimo Mari
Billy Arena
Victor Alofaki
Jack Leigh
Joshua Veleika
Coach: Frank Pritchard
Assistant Coach: Lino Salafai
Trainers: Mitchell Tyler (Orange Shirt), Adam Rafferty (Yellow Shirt), Lino Salafai (Blue Shirt)
Schoolboy Cup Rnd 2 – Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s
