Holy Cross defeats All Saints

Holy Cross defeats All Saints

Author : William Tyson Daily Telegraph

Famed rugby league nursery Holy Cross stormed to victory over All Saints in the opening game of the NRL Schoolboy Cup.

The NRL Schoolboy Cup was back with a bang as Holy Cross saluted in an exciting clash with All Saints College.
Fullback Dion Lendon and five-eighth Ati Teaupa combined to steer Ryde’s Holy Cross College to a 30-12 win over hosts All Saints College in the NRL Schoolboy Cup opener in Cessnock.

Holy Cross proved too good for All Saints. Picture: Peter Lorimer

The boys from Maitland led by a converted try at halftime before the Sydneysiders stormed home, Lendon scoring two tries while Teaupa also scored a double. The five-eighth was thrilled to get the win.

“It feels good to get our first game together, haven’t played since last year against Hills,” said Teaupa, who also kicked five goals from five attempts to finish with 18 points.

All Saints lost their way when gun hooker Jaco Davis succumbed to a hamstring injury and Holy Cross never looked back.

Jackson Eckford knew that when their star co-captain went down the task would become tougher.

“He (Jacob Davis) hurt his hamstring at the end of the first half and we really missed him in the second half with his ball-playing,” Eckford said.

Jackson Eckford hits the deck for All Saints. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Watch the NRL Schoolboy Cup match replay with All Saints College taking on Holy Cross College.
Davis was a juggernaut early, scoring the first try for All Saints and setting up Tyler Threadgate for their second.

Not only did they miss Davis’s explosive ball-playing skills, but his leadership qualities to hold the team together when under pressure.

“In the first half we were great but lacked discipline in the second,” Eckford said.

Eckford, who comes from a soccer background, was terrific at fullback, showing nerves of steel under the high ball.

Holy Cross celebrate a try. Picture: Peter Lorimer

“I played first and reserve grade NPL Soccer for Weston Bears and played footy last year with Cessnock Goannas first grade and have been enjoying it,” he said.

Saints halfback Fletcher Sharpe also looked great returning from his ankle injury, creating many chances and kicking the ball beautifully while prop Nicholas Tuliatu was also a force to be reckoned with for the locals putting on some massive shots.

2021 NRL SCHOOLBOY CUP: Round 1