Schoolboy Cup

Pats Blacktown Set Up Grand Final Blockbuster

by
dailytelegraph
05/11/2020

David Langi runs at the Endeavour line in the 2020 Schoolboy Cup Semi Final at Bankwest Stadium (photo : Steve Montgomery)

Pats Blacktown Set Up Grand Final Blockbuster

Author : JOCELYN AIRTH Daily Telegraph

Patrician Brothers Blacktown are through to the final of the NRL Schoolboy Cup with a nailbiting victory over Endeavour Sports High at Bankwest Stadium.

After trailing by 10 points, Patrician Brothers Blacktown fought back to beat Endeavour Sports High 32-24 and progress to the NRL Schoolboy Cup Grand Final.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur watched, as his son Jakob and Isaiya Katoa took control of the seesawing affair at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday.

The Patties halves showed great composure to orchestrate three tries in the closing 15 minutes to book their spot in next week’s blockbuster final against Westfields Sports High School.

“Everyone was positive, not one person put his head down,” skipper Jakob Arthur said.

“Part of our culture is to never give up, keep fighting until the bell … we’ve faced adversity all year, but we’ve still come out on top, it was good to get the win.”

The Year 12 student – who just finished his HSC exams – praised the talent of his partner Katoa, brother of Bulldogs NRL star Sione Katoa.

Isaiya Katoa dives in to seal a berth in the 2020 Schoolboy Cup Grand Final for his school Patrician Brothers Catholic College, Blacktown (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Isaiya Katoa dives in for a try to seal a berth in the 2020 Schoolboy Cup Grand Final for his school Patrician Brothers Catholic College, Blacktown (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

“He’s a freak. He’s only 16, in Year 10, this is the first year we’ve played together” Arthur said.

After losing the NSW title to Westfields in 2019, Arthur is hoping to get revenge at Leichhardt Oval next week.

“They’re a good side, they’re always tough, hopefully now we’ll get them back for last year.”

Patties might have won, but Endeavour made them fight for every point – underdogs were ahead by ten points with fifteen minutes to go.

Captain Billy Burke lauded his team’s attitude in 2020.

“I’m definitely proud the boys over the last 12 months have worked really hard, to put in a performance like that and to come up short, it’s tough, there’s always going to be a winner and a loser,” Burke said.

“There’s definitely a lot of talent in the year 11 group, we had a few play today, that whole year is itching to play, they were on us Year 12s boys back and keeping us accountable. Next year they’ll be in good hands with Kels (Brad Kelly).”

It took Australian Schoolboys star Sam Loizou just three minutes to get Patties on the board. After missing the first two games due to injury and illness, Loizou immediately crossed on the left. With the conversion waived, Patrician Brothers led 4-0.

Endeavour responded via Bulldogs junior Iverson Matai. Brilliant footwork and offloading by Sam Jinks allowed his five-eighth to spin over. Skipper Billy Burke booted the conversion and Endeavour led 6-4.

Patties halves Arthur and Katoa then orchestrated two tries on the right edge. Centre Sunia Turuva burrowed over and winger Kristian-Le Mai to push their school ahead 14-6.

The boys from Blacktown continued to attack and Bailey Nouredine always looked dangerous from dummy half.

But just before halftime, Endeavour’s Kobie Wilson had a breakthrough. The hooker – who was named in the 2019 Australians Under 15s side – scooped up a lost ball and ran 50 metres to cross. Burke converted and Endeavour trailed 14-12.

Endeavour returned to the field, ready to rumble. While Patties struggled to adapt after injury forced hooker Nouredine from the field, Brad Kelly’s side scored two quick tries. Matai put his hard-running fullback Dylan Hema over and then Jinks weaved around defenders to cross. Burke’s accurate boot propelled Endeavour ahead 24-14.

Trailing by 10 points and with just 15 minutes to go, Patties took control. Katoa shifted to dummy half, channeling the skill of his brother, Bulldogs hooker Sione Katoa