The NSW Tertiary Rep Team defeated the Queensland Tertiary Rep Team 26-20 to take out the Tas Baitieri Tertiary Interstate Challenge Cup for the first time since its inception in 2013.
The match was played at Geoff King Motors Oval in Coffs Harbour on 16 July before a large crowd of interested locals and parents/friends of players in both teams who had travelled far and wide to see the match.
As always in any match involving NSW Vs Qld teams, the opening encounters were spirited but it was the Qld side that gained the upper hand early with a try out wide to winger Patrick Robinson after some slick back line play. The NSW boys struggled against the speed of the Qld backs, however, luck went the Blues way at the 10th minute when, against the run of play, centre and Captain Kareem Emara crossed after Qld dropped the ball.
From that stage on the Blues bigger forwards slowly started to take control and at the 20th minute their 2nd rower Ioane Ioane crashed over. With Dwayne Peters converting NSW took the lead 10-4.
Minutes later Blues five eight Allan Newton was slipped a great ball from winger Richie Mante and he ran 50 meters to score wide out. Soon after Emara popped an almost impossible pass close to the line for Mante to score in the corner. By this stage the Blues had taken complete control and when half back Troy Errington crossed in the opposite corner to take the score to 22-4, it looked like they were headed for a cricket score.
However, Qld hit back right on half time when 2nd rower Jack Peoples barged through some week NSW defence and with Nick Trevisoli converting, the boys in maroon were back in the match going to the break down only 22-10.
That late first half try gave Qld the incentive to come back in the second half and eventually, at the 23rd minute, they were able to score again when nippy half back Geoff Fabila scooted away for a long distance try. Another Trevisoli conversion and the Maroons were back in the hunt behind 22-16.
But their joy was short-lived when soon after the Blues ran the ball on the last tackle and Errington slipped the ball to winger Josh Beadman to cross out wide. The conversion missed but the Blues were still in front 26-16.
With 5 minutes on the clock the Maroons scored again through hooker Blake Trace and despite some attacking chances for the Maroons, the Blues desperate defence held them out to win 26-20.
Queensland Coach’s Award: Jack Peoples
Queensland Players’ Player: Geoff Fabila
NSW Coach’s Award: Troy Errington
NSW Players’ Player: Matt Roberts
Man of the Match: Jake Johan (NSW)
NSW 26 (Tries: Kareem Emara, Ioane Ioane, Allan Newton, Richie Mante, Troy Errington & Josh Beadman, Goal: Dwayne Peters) defeated Queensland 20 (Tries: Patrick Robinson, Jack Peoples, Geoff Fabila & Blake Trace, Goals: Nick Trevisoli 2)
