Australian Schools Division 1 - Final Results

QLD I have won back-to-back Australian Schools titles after a 23-21 victory over NSW I in Canberra

Queensland I have won back-to-back Australian Schools Championships titles after a thrilling 23-21 victory over arch rivals NSW I in Canberra on Sunday.

After trailing 7-0 after NSW’s Greg Jeloudev long range solo effort after only four minutes, Queensland replied shortly after Dominic Shipperley dived on a kick to score.

Eddie Bredenhann then added a penalty to give the defending champions a three point buffer, 10-7.

NSW regained the lead through Kotone Ali after the “blues” managed to charge down a Simon Morahan clearance kick. Alex Pinson converted for a 14-7 lead.

Again the Queenslanders came back into the contest as Nicky Price showed incredible speed to run down the line and score just after the half-time siren to earn his team a 17-14 lead at the break.

Five minutes in the second half, Bredenhann added another three points and then took advantage of another NSW indiscretion to give the Queenslanders a nine point lead 23-14.

However, NSW breathed life into the contest when Michael McDougall somehow found a gap in the Queensland lines to run under the posts. Pinson added the extras to leave NSW trailing 23-21.

With the title up for grabs both teams played desperate rugby, but the Queensland defence proved too tough to crack and held on to retain the BH ‘Jika’ Travers Trophy.

In the day’s other matches NSW II crushed Combined States 50-13, while QLD II edged out ACT 27-12.

Final Results

3^rd v 4^th Playoff

NSW (II) 50 (D. Anderson 2, C. Fryer 2, W. Meakes, R. Hann, J. Howard tries, H. Bennett 6 cons, pen) defeated Combined States 13 (R. Esekia try, D. Mitchell con, 2 pens)

5^th v 6^th Playoff

QLD (II) 27 (T. Postal, F. Tuua, T. Tela tries, M. Wenck 2 cons, 2 pens, S. Rosolea con) defeated ACT 12 (T. Stevens, J. Brims tries, A. Crowe con)

Final

QLD (I) 23 (D. Shipperly, N. Price tries, E. Bredenhann 2 con, 3 pens) defeated NSW (I) 21 (G. Jeloudev, K. Ale, M. McDougall tries, A. Pinson 3 cons). Half time: QLD I 17-14

Queensland I win the BH ‘Jika’ Travers Trophy
NSW I win the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Trophy