Patrician Bro’s come from behind to win Schoolboy Cup

Patrician Bro’s come from behind to win Schoolboy Cup

Author : Phoebe Street NewsCorp Sport

Patrician Bro’s come from behind to win Schoolboy Cup

NRL Schoolboys grand final between Patrician Brothers, Fairfield and Hill Sports High

Patrician Brothers Fairfield snapped a 30-year NRL Schoolboys title drought in style, storming home from 16 points down to stun Hills Sports.

Watch the replay of the NRL Schoolboy Cup grand final Patrician Brothers Fairfield v Hills Sports

Moments away from losing the NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final, Patrician Brothers Fairfield’s number 12 pulled out all the stops.

He charged down a clearing kick, regathered and dived over the line in the 59th minute to lift his side to an incredible 20-16 comeback victory over Hills Sports High School at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday afternoon.

When all seemed lost, Joshua Alhazim came up big. For his tireless efforts throughout an often brutal game, he was awarded the man of the match.

Joshua Alhazim was the hero for Patrician Brothers & Man of the Match in the Peter Mulholland Schoolboy Cup grand final. Pic: Steve Montgomery

An impressive second-half performance proved the difference as Pats climbed off the canvas from 16 points down to take the title in the dying seconds.

Hills looked likely to win comfortably when they raced out a 16-0 lead early in the second half before Pats found their footing and poured on the pressure late. It was their first title since 1992.

Despite being the toast of his school, Alhazim was quick to share the glory among his teammates.

“It is a reward for all the boys’ hard work, the coaching staff, Frank (Pritchard), our principal. It is the reward for all their hard work over the years,” he said.

“I couldn’t thank them enough. The school have been supporting us for the last two years tremendously and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Despite the early scoreline concern and losing prop Jordan Miller to the sin bin late in the first half, he never gave up hope.

“Every single game we went into this year, we never doubted it. We always thought we would come on top.”

Pats coach Frank Pritchard praised his team’s effort and determination.

“A lot of people had written us off, but the boys showed grit and resilience,” he said.

“That’s what we’ve done all year.”

The atmosphere was incredible, with a huge crowd enjoying a game of incredible twists and turns.

Hills got away early and led 10-0 at the break. Pats though turned the tables, winning the second half 20-6.

It was a trio of tries from captain Yehya Ayache, left wing Noah Funa and prop Miller that saw them rally to 16-14 with just minutes to play.

Alhazim then produced his magic.

Hills fullback Blake Metcalfe was one of the best for the losing side.

It was his four-pointer right on the halftime whistle that saw the side extend their lead.

It was followed by a try from five-eighth Jonathan Ibrahim early on in the second half.

The first half was a real arm wrestle. Despite both side entering enemy territory on multiple occasions, it was not until the 15th minute that points were added to the board, after Hills right wing Alaa Lababidi flew over the white line.

Patrician Brothers Catholic College Fairfield will now take on the Phil Hall Cup champions Ipswich SHS in the National Schoolboy Cup Championship on Wednesday 14 September at the Redcliffe Dolphins Stadium – OurFootyTeam

How each team got to the decider

Hills Sports High

Group games

Hills 18 Westfields 12
Hills 44 Endeavour 10
Hills 22 Patrician Brothers Blacktown 14

Quarter final

Hills 46 Holy Cross 18

Semi final

Hills 22 Erindale College 18

PATRICIAN BROTHERS FAIRFIELD

Group games

Pats 64 Farrer MAHS 0
Pats 42 All Saints Maitland 6
Pats 22 Holy Cross College 20

Quarter final

Pats 30 Endeavour 10

Semi final

Pats 19 Westfields 18

TEAMS

The Hills Sports High

1/Blake Metcalfe, 2/Alaa Lababidi, 3/ Peteru Pritchard, 4/ Albert Litisoni, 5/ Siaosi Kaliti, 6/ Jonathan Ibrahim, 7/Cassius Tia, 8/ Vena Patuki-Case, 9/Billy Scott, 10/Luron Patea, 11/ Liam Aarons, 12/ Harry Hassett, 13/ Mustafa Dirani, 14/ Lorenzo Talataina, 15/ Jordan Uta, 16/ Levi Mariri, 17/ Sam Squire, 18/Marc Tannous, 19/ Sean Pokia

Patrician Brothers, Fairfield

1/ Junior Fagalele, 2/ Corey Leigh, 3/ Godfrey Ilavalu, 4/ Sione Lolohea, 5/ Noah Funa, 6/ Taj’h Colquhoun, 7/ Chad Daniels, 8/ Massimo Mari, 9/ Yehya Ayache, 10/ Jordan Miller, 11/ Jezaiah Funa-luta, 12/ Joshua Alhazim, 13/ Bailey Myers, 14/ Zaidas Muagututia, 15/ Matt Alhazim, 16/ Billy Arena, 17/Jack Leigh, 18/ Enryko Memea Epe, 19/ Dionn Haratsaris, 20/ Robert Uhatafe, 21/ Kohan Lewis, 22/ Lucci Muliaga, 23/ Robertson Lepale

Related Links

Daily Telegraph

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Ipswich win 2022 Phil Hall Cup

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