A second half shut-out paved the way to victory for
Queensland Maroons under-16 team as they overcame New South Wales Country 22-8
at Lismore’s Oakes Oval.
Country five-eighth Jayden Ehsman put his team in a strong
position at half time after a try and two goals, with a Tristan Hope try
narrowing the half time gap to 8-4.
A few words from coach Craig Grauf at half time stirred
Queensland into action, piling on three converted tries to set up the winning
margin.
“I wish we would’ve won by more actually,” Grauf said at
full time.
“We kept them in the game but the boys’ effort in defence
kept us going well.
“I think we showed we had a bit more footy in us but we let
ourselves down a few times. The boys are just that next level down in their
development; just that extra metre and a half of effort from where they need to
be for higher footy.”
Queensland had their fair share of quality performers, with
five eighth Joshua Faiud and man of the match Bernard Lewis putting in a strong
performance at fullback.
Unheralded replacement hooker Aaron Ulai shone from the
bench, while Cameron Torpy drew praise from Grauf.
“Josh was fantastic. He had a lot of responsibility playing
five-eighth and captaining the team but he stood up and showed he could do it,”
Grauf said.
“Cameron lifted the side really well. He was only supposed
to play on the edge but he slotted into the forwards and made plenty of metres.
“Wes Mooka caused them trouble all night and Aaron was
fantastic.”
Players to watch
Country NSW
Jayden Ehsman (Glenn Innes): No secret why he scored all of Country's points. Directed attack and always there in support. Performed well behind beaten forward pack.
Queensland Maroons
Joshua Faiud (SEQ): My man of the match. Was in everything. Created many opportunities. Scored a try. Big future.
Keenan Yorston (SEQ): Qld always have a sensational centre. Yorston could've finished with four if he grounded all opps. Amazing speed and footwork, untouchable in heavy traffic. Slippery.
Bernard Lewis (Marlins): Safe as a bank at the back. Turned defence into attack. Good positioning in defence.
Aaron Ulai (SEQ): Plucked from Brisbane Second Division as replacement hooker. Broke tackles with ease, provided good service for halves. Give him an inch he'll take a mile.
Players to watch
Country NSW
Jayden Ehsman (Glenn Innes): No secret why he scored all of Country's points. Directed attack and always there in support. Performed well behind beaten forward pack.
Queensland Maroons
Joshua Faiud (SEQ): My man of the match. Was in everything. Created many opportunities. Scored a try. Big future.
Keenan Yorston (SEQ): Qld always have a sensational centre. Yorston could've finished with four if he grounded all opps. Amazing speed and footwork, untouchable in heavy traffic. Slippery.
Bernard Lewis (Marlins): Safe as a bank at the back. Turned defence into attack. Good positioning in defence.
Aaron Ulai (SEQ): Plucked from Brisbane Second Division as replacement hooker. Broke tackles with ease, provided good service for halves. Give him an inch he'll take a mile.
QUEENSLAND 22 (Yorston, Fauid, Hope, Uluiviti tries; Herbert
2, Faiud goals) def NSW Country (Ehsman try; 2 goals) at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
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