DAY 1; Tuesday July 2
The Brisbane/South-East U14 team started the tournament in fine style, racking up a 48-0 victory over South-West, after leading 32-0 at halftime. In earlier games Northern came from 4-0 down at halftime to defeat Southern 16-4, and Wide Bay were impressive in defeating Central 26-10 after leading 18-0 at half time. Brisbane's first half was near perfect, completing 13 sets out of 15 and hammering South-West whenever they got the ball. All the forwards played well, with Lagi prominent early, and Albert and Jay also particularly dangerous. Matt Smith had a great game at 5/8, topping the tackle count as well as scoring 2 tries. Lagi also picked up a double. Matt Marshall and Adam did well off the bench. All the outside backs played well, with Mase in particular causing the defence all sorts of problems. Only casualty of the day was Beau who copped a hit to the head after scoring a try, although he should be ok for tomorrow. The other Brisbane teams also won over South West - the 13s 28-10 (HT 22-6) and the 16s 32-14 (HT 20-0).
Brisbane 48 (Matt Smith 2, Lagi Setu 2, Beau Batley, Alex Tallon, Albert Hunt, Jay Aston, Mosa Afu tries; Tim McIlwain 6/9 goals) def South-West 0 (HT 32-0); Top Tacklers: Matt Smith 16; Lagi Setu/Nathan Strudwick 13; Jay Aston 12; Tim McIlwain 11 Top Hit-Ups: Lauchlan Witt 9; Lagi Setu/Mase Laulu/Alex Tallon 8; Albert Hunt 7
DAY 2; Wednesday July 3
The Brisbane U14s put in a fine team performance to outclass Northern 30-10 after leading 18-4 at half- time. Once again the Brisbane side started well with Alex Tallon putting Beau Batley over for 2 tries in the first 7 minutes. Tim McIlwain converted both from the sideline for Brissie to lead 12-0. Northern struck back with a try of their own, but a great individual effort from Matt Seppelini put Brisbane 14 clear. The second half was a much tighter affair, with the heat taking its toll, and both sides making mistakes. Tim crossed for try early in the second half and Trent Iselin also crossed in the right corner with 8 minutes remaining, after replacing Beau Batley who succumbed to a knee injury. Beau may have to miss tomorrow, but it is hoped he will be ok for Friday. Northern scored a late consolation try to bring up their 10 points. As well as scoring a try, and kicking 5/5, including 3 from the sideline, Tim topped the back's tackle count with 11 in a fine performance. Brian Paterson had a great game in attack and defence, as did Jay Aston. Up front, Lagi, Albert, Matt Sep, Matt Marshall and Adam Maher never took a backward step against the big northern pack, and Mase was as solid as a rock at the back. Unfortunately the Brisbane U13 and U16 teams both suffered defeats to Northern, the 13s going down 20- 14, after leading 14-4 in the second half, and the 16s being overpowered 26-10 by the well drilled locals. In other U14 games, South-West bounced back from yesterday's thrashing to defeat Wide Bay 20-18 (after trailing 12-0 early) and Central were too good for a disappointing Southern 24-4.
Brisbane 30 (Beau Batley 2, Matt Sepelini, Tim McIlwain, Trent Iselin tries; Tim McIlwain 5/5 goals) def Northern 10 (Cameron Heading, Kody Sheehan tries; Luke Millward 1/2 goals) (HT 18-4) Top Tacklers: Lagi Setu 13, Tim McIlwain 11, Alex Tallon/Albert Hunt/Brian Paterson 11. Top Hit-ups: Nathan Strudwick 9, Mase Laulu/Lagi Setu 9; Alex Tallon/Jay Aston 7.
DAY 3; Thursday July 4
The Brisbane U14s continued on their winning way, defeating Southern 26-0, after leading 10-0 at half-time. Brisbane started well again, with Tim McIlwain scoring in the 3rd minute after a neat grubber kick through by Lauchlan Witt. This was to be their only score however till the last minute of the half, when Jared Morgan, playing on the wing in place of the injured Beau Batley, finished a good backline move to score in the corner. Southern threatened on a couple of occasions but try-saving tackles from Mase Laulu and Jared snuffed these out. Trent Iselin and Lauchlan Witt scored good winger's tries in the first 9 minutes of the second half to ensure victory, with Matt Marshall finishing the scoring with a fine individual burst. Nathan Strudwick suffered a knee injury midway through the half and is in doubt for tomorrow, although Beau should be back to take on Wide Bay. Lagi was again eye-catching up front, with Nick Wright standing out when he came on from the bench. Alex Tallon and Mase were dangerous in the backs. In other U14 games, Central proved far too strong for an error prone South West 38-6 (HT 10-0), and Northern overpowered Wide Bay 28-4 after leading 22-0 at the break. After 3 rounds Brisbane have the maximum 15 points, Central 10, Northern 9, Wide Bay 6, South-West 4 and Southern 1. Unfortunately the Brisbane U13 and U16 teams both lost again today, this time to Southern - the 16s went down 22-16 after it was locked 10 all at half-time, and a converted try after the full-time hooter sunk the U13s 14-10 after they trailled 4-0 at the break.
Brisbane 26 (Tim McIlwain, Lauchlan Witt, Matt Marshall, Trent Iselin, Jared Morgan tries; Tim McIlwain 3/5 goals) def Southern 0 (HT 10-0). Top Tacklers: Lagi Setu/Matt Smith 16, Jay Aston/Nick Wright 12, Tim McIlwain/Matt Marshall 11. Top Hit-ups: Lagi Setu 12, Mase Laulu 9, Jay Aston/Matt Marshall 8, Alex Tallon/Albert Hunt 7.
DAY 4; Friday July 5
In the first U14 game of the day, Central and Northern played a thrilling 18 all draw, meaning an expected Brisbane win over Wide Bay would be enough to secure the championship. Wide Bay had other ideas however and really took it to the Brisbane side. Brisbane opened the scoring when Alex Tallon made a break from a backline move and found Nathan Strudwick backing up inside - Tim McIlwain's conversion saw Brisbane lead 6-0 after 3 minutes. Wide Bay then gradually took control of the match and with tries in the 10th and 17th minute took the lead 10-6. Only a brilliant individual try from Mase Laulu allowed Brisbane to go into the break leading 12-10 against the Wide Bay side which had a 100% completion rate in the half. A dropped ball in the backline by Brisbane shortly after halftime saw Wide Bay score a runaway try to regain the lead, and only a magnificent chase from Alex T to run down the opposition centre stopped Wide Bay going further ahead. A well worked move saw Mase put through a gap for Brisbane to regain the lead 13 minutes into the second half, but unfortunately this was to be the end of the action, as just after the kick-off, Albert Hunt was knocked out in a tackle, and was unable to be moved, and with no time out for injury the Brisbane team were winners 18-16. Albert was taken to hospital, and at this stage we are still waiting to hear word on his condition, but he did come around on the field and we all hope he is ok. Mase and Alex T had great games for Brisbane in the backs, while in the forwards Lagi Setu with 24 tackles and 11 hit-ups was outstanding, well supported by hooker Nathan Strudwick and big Albert. Brian Paterson also made some great runs. The win saw Brisbane wrap up the title, but they will want to go through undefeated, and this will be no easy feat against the nippy Central team tomorrow. The other U14 game of the day saw South West snap a field goal after the fulltime hooter to defeat Southern 9-8. With 5 points available per game, and 1 game remaining, Brisbane are on 19.5 points, followed by Central on 12.5, Northern 11.5, South West 8, Wide Bay 6.5 and Southern 2. The other Brisbane teams put the disappointment of consecutive losses behind them, scoring big wins over Wide Bay - the U13s by 50-10 and the U16s by 32-10.
Brisbane 18 (Mase Laulu 2, Nathan Strudwick tries; Tim McIlwain 3/3 goals) def Wide Bay 16 (Samuel Richter, Dean Frankcom, Luke Clarke tries; Scott Millar 2/3 goals) (HT 12-10). Top Tacklers: Lagi Setu 24, Nathan Strudwick 18, Alex Tallon 16, Albert Hunt 14, Jay Aston 13. Top Hit-ups: Mase Laulu 14, Lagi Setu 11, Albert Hunt/Jay Aston 8, Lauchlan Witt 7.
DAY 5; Saturday July 6
The Brisbane U14 team completed the State Championships in fine style, hammering Central Qld 60-10 after leading 26-0 at halftime. Man of the Match Tim McIlwain contributed 32 points, scoring 4 tries and kicking 8/11. The Brisbane backs really cut loose against the Central team which was challenging for second place in the titles, scoring 9 of the 11 tries, with the other 2 being scored by Jay Aston also backing up long breaks. The team were fired up to win for the injured Albert Hunt, who fortunately has been cleared of any serious injury after being knocked out yesterday. Mase Laulu was again outstanding at fullback with centres Alex Tallon and Tim McIlwain causing the Central defence all sorts of problems. Lagi was non-stop as usual in the forward and Matt Sepelini and Brian Paterson were outstanding in the second row. Adam Marr and Nick Wright were great off the bench, as was Trent Iselin playing halfback in the second half. In the other U14 games, Wide Bay game back from a 6-0 halftime deficit to defeat Southern 16-6 and Northern grabbed second spot with a 28-0 defeat of South West. Brisbane won the U14 title on 26.5 points (out of a possible 27) followed by Northern 16.5, Central 12.5, Wide Bay 10.5, South West 8 and Southern 3. The Brisbane boys total of 180 for and only 36 against was outstanding, along with the fact that they conceded only 6 penalties in the 5 games played!!! The other Brisbane teams also finished the carnival with good wins over Central - the 13s wrapped up 2nd place with a 46-10 victory, while the 16s finished 3rd after winning 28-18.
Brisbane 60 (Tim McIlwain 4, Mase Laulu 2, Jay Aston 2, Lauchlan Witt, Matt Smith, Alex Tallon tries; Tim McIlwain 8/11 goals) def Central 10 (Damon Harth, Levi Knickle-Baynton tries; Yorem Major 1/2 goals) (HT 26-0). Top Tacklers: Lagi Setu 22, Alex Tallon/Tim McIlwain/Nathan Strudwick/Matt Marshall 9. Top Hit- ups: Lagi Setu 9, Jay Aston/Mosa Afu 8, Brian Paterson 7, Nick Wright 6.
