NSW School Footy

Catholic U18s hold on in schoolboy nailbiter

by
dailytelegraph
26/06/2021

Jaxson Rahme runs the ball hard every time for NSWCCC against the NSWCIS on day 3 of the NSW Schoolboy Tri-Series (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Catholic U18s hold on in schoolboy nailbiter

Author : Nick Campton
Daily Telegraph

Combined Catholic Colleges have kept their undefeated run alive after a nailbiting finish against Combined Independent Schools. Watch the full replay here.

Watch a full replay as NSWCCC v NSWCIS in the Under 18’s.

CCC have remained unbeaten in the Under 18s of the NSW Schoolboys Championships with a hard-fought 12-8 win over CIS.

CCC led 12-4 after a tight and tense first half and the match remained on a knife’s edge through the second stanza with CCC turning away wave after wave of attack from CIS, who turned the tide in the middle but could not find the final touch.

Penrith SG Ball hooker Ryley Smith was named CCC’s man of the match while CIS lock Domenico De Stradis was judged his side’s best.

Ryley Smith was named as ‘Player of the Match for the NSWCCC on Day 3 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Domenico De Stradis was named as ‘Player of the Match for the NSWCIS on Day 3 (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

CCC celebrating Lachlan Blackburn’s try during the NSW U18 Combined Catholic Colleges v Combined Independent Schools game of the State Rugby League Tri-Series held at St Mary’s Leagues Stadium. (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

“We knew it was going to be tough, they were willing to rip in and have a go, they had nothing to lose and I thought we were gone with 15 minutes to go,” said CCC coach Craig Brennan.

“But our boys kept turning up and kept working hard for each other, which was pleasing, it was something we build our culture around – teamwork and working for each other.

“I thought our 13, Jaxson Rahme, was really strong and our fullback, Liam Ison, he’s always busy and around the ball and our winger Emmanuel (Kanidakis) got through a lot of work.

Dane Towns crossing for a try during the NSW U18 Combined Catholic Colleges v Combined Independent Schools game of the State Rugby League Tri-Series held at St Mary’s Leagues Stadium. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Our two hookers, Ryley Smith and Taj Brailey, were really good as well but it was good performances all round.”

Taj Brailey Gets his NSWCCC team going forward (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Winger Dane Towns opened the scoring when he dived down in the corner following a sweeping CIS backline movement with five-eighth Max Riolo creating the space with a well-timed pass.

But CCC replied shortly thereafter with a nice spread of their own, with fullback Liam Ison throwing the final ball that allowed Kandidakis to dot down.

A booming sideline conversion from five-eighth Keagan Russell-Smith gave CCC the lead and they extended it minutes later when halfback Ethan Sanders put backrower Lachlan Blackburn over with a sharp short ball.

Travis Petersen during the NSW U18 Combined Catholic Colleges v Combined Independent Schools game of the State Rugby League Tri-Series held at St Mary’s Leagues Stadium. (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Patrician Brothers Blacktown’s John Sagaga, who lined up at prop for CCC, stood out with some strong defense in the middle of the field and towering prop Jordan Miller was just as effective with ball in hand.

Still just 16, Miller’s tireless efforts belied his enormous size and the Magpies Harold Matthews prop is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Backrower Michael Abdow acquitted himself well for CIS and toiled hard on the right edge while fullback Siteni Taukamo when he got some clean ball.

CIS props Jake Abbey and Bill Statham helped turn the tide in the middle of the field for CIS after the break with CCC missing Sagaga’s presence after he left the field with an injury.