NQ Schoolboys Wrap up
The North QLD Under 18s Schoolboys have finished the QRFSU State Titles on a high after downing Pool B rivals Capricornia 13 – 12 on the final whistle in the playoff for third. Head coach John Rauch sang the praises of the team for their outstanding efforts after narrowly missing a Final berth with a loss in the Semi Final the day before against eventual carnival champs South Coast. The team, which included 8 Brothers Rugby players, have been rewarded with selections in both the Qld CSS team along with the Chairman’s XV.
After finishing second in the pool following a round robin loss to Capricornia the Northern team were up against tournament favourites South Coast who topped pool A undefeated. The boys in blue fought hard however missed opportunities cost them as they pushed the eventual champions for the full game but lost 15 points to 7. Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders Scrumhalf Ben Cornish was named man of the match for Northern as they bowed out of the Championship race to face off against Pool rivals Capricornia in the 3rd place play off on Sunday morning.

The Northern team regrouped after their loss to South Coast and saved their best performance until last in the 3rd place playoff. A seesawing affair with the scores locked at 5 all early in the second half tries to Teachers West Scrum half Harry Willocks and then Brothers flanker Raymond Walker-Campbell brought the Northern team alongside Capricornia who lead 12-10 with only seconds left in the Match. It was with the game in the balance that Brothers Fly-Half Declan Maguire stepped up for the team and kicked a penalty on the hooter from 40m out to take NQ team to the win 13 points to 12 finishing in third spot behind South Coast and Sunshine Coast. Willocks was a standout for the match winning the man of the match honours for his team.
That wasn’t the end of the good news for the NQ team as Brothers Winger Sam Warner and Second Row Christian Batic were selected in the QLD CSS teams with club mate Daniel Conn selected in the Chairman’s XV all to take part in the QLD Schoolboys trials later this year.
Coach John Rauch was thrilled with his teams efforts stating that his team featured “23 great humans and Rugby players with which their schools and clubs should be very proud of their efforts”.
Congratulations to all the players who participated.