A new chapter is looming in one of Confraternity Carnival’s most intriguing rivalries after a strong start to the girls’ rugby league tournament in Rockhampton today.
The last two girls’ Confraternity Shield finals have been fought out between The Cathedral College, Rockhampton and St Patrick’s College, Mackay and the rivals are on track to meet again after a strong first day.
The Cathedral College won a stirring final in 2023 before St Patrick’s College, Mackay claimed a memorable victory in a curtain-raiser to a women’s State of Origin match in Townsville last year.
The two schools emerged as the early favourites after today’s opening matches, winning both their pool matches and conceding only 10 points between them.
St Patrick’s College rolled past the promising St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 18-0 before edging past a brave Emmaus College, Rockhampton 10-0.
The Cathedral College defeated neighbours Rockhampton Grammar School 26-0 after a tough clash with emerging power St James’ College, Spring Hill, winning 18-10.
In Division 2, newcomers St Patrick’s College, Townsville were unbeaten along with St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba.
The 45th Confraternity Carnival, sponsored by CQ University and run by Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League, features a record 16 girls’ teams and 56 boys’ teams and is played this year across seven fields hosted by The Cathedral College.
St Patrick’s College coach Imogen Healy praised her team after their opening day, noting that her squad was younger than squad that claimed last year’s Shield with a tense 8-4 win.
Ms Healy has worked with some of her players at the Mackay Cutters in the junior representative ranks.
“We’ve had quite an extensive pre-season because a lot of the girls in the program play for our Mackay Cutters so I’ve been able to see them progress as players from as early as January,” Ms Healy said.
“The girls have a licence to throw the ball around a little. That comes from teaching younger teams and it’s one of our strengths this year.
“The biggest thing about getting the wins early is the confidence it brings, knowing our preparation and game plans are working.”
Teams will play their final pool matches tomorrow morning before semi-finals begin in the afternoon ahead of Thursday’s final.
St Patrick’s College, Townsville surged into “Confro” for the first time in Division 2, defeating St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon and Emmaus College, Jimboomba, in their first matches.
The girls’ competition has added four new teams this year to provide two divisions of eight teams.
Girls’ Day 1 results
DIVISION 1
Pool A
St Patrick’s College, Mackay 18 d St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 0
Emmaus College, Rockhampton 12 drew Shalom College, Bundaberg 12
St Patrick’s College, Mackay 10 d Emmaus College, Rockhampton 0
St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 16 d Shalom College, Bundaberg 8
Pool B
The Cathedral College, Rockhampton 18 d St James College, Brisbane 10
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 8 d Rockhampton Grammar School 0
St James College, Brisbane 20 d Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 4
The Cathedral College, Rockhampton 26 d Rockhampton Grammar School 0
DIVISION 2
Pool A
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 26 d Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 0
Marist College, Emerald 22 d Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 0
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 46 d Xavier Catholic College 0
Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 8 d Marist College, Emerald 4
Pool B
Holy Spirit College, Mackay 16 d Emmaus College, Jimboomba 0
St Patrick’s College, Townsville 12 d St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 6
St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 24 d Holy Spirit College, Mackay 8
St Patrick’s College, Townsville 18 d Emmaus College, Jimboomba 4
