A rookie team and a rookie coach knocked the champions out of the Confraternity Shield today, setting up an intriguing final for the prized schoolgirls’ rugby league trophy in Rockhampton.
St James’ College, Spring Hill, had never played in the girls’ Confraternity Carnival until this year but they are now preparing for Thursday’s final against hosts The Cathedral College.
St James’ College defeated defending girls’ champions St Patrick’s College, Mackay 8-4 in today’s semi-final while The Cathedral College toppled St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 26-10 in the other semi-final.
St James’ story is unlike many at “Confro”, which has 16 girls’ teams and 56 boys’ teams from Catholic and Independent schools around Queensland.
Their girls’ team is coached by Brisbane Tigers’ player Bella Satui – a 20-year-old whose little sister Layla is St James’ captain.
A new school at the carnival would usually be placed in a lower division to help them learn the ropes of a challenging week in which the girls’ teams play four games across two days to qualify for the final day.
But St James’ recently began a rugby league excellence program and asked carnival organisers to slot them into the top girls’ division to test their strength. That made them an unknown quantity for rival teams wary of their forward power and the speed of their backs.
St James’ fell to The Cathedral College in the opening match but then knocked over inaugural girls’ champions Marymount College, Burleigh Waters before today’s ambush of the impressive St Patrick’s College.
The 45th Confraternity Carnival, sponsored by CQ University and run by Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League, is played this year across seven fields hosted by The Cathedral College.
Bella Satui said she was proud of her players including sister Layla who forms a strong partnership with tireless lock Kina Vainga and halfback Lenore Georgetown.
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we came here because we have never played this carnival and some of the other teams have done very well before,” Ms Satui said.
“It’s been exciting. There will be some nervous confidence (on Thursday) because it’s our first grand final.”
After tomorrow’s rest day, St James’ will have to turn the tables on The Cathedral College which will play in front of a large home crowd after qualifying for their third consecutive Shield final.
“We played St James’ in the first game and they were very tough and both teams have definitely improved since then,” The Cathedral College coach Damon Moore said.
“[To qualify for the final] is massive for our girls. It’s what we’ve strived for in the last six months while we’ve been training. The players will have some friends and family there so that will make it special.”
The Cathedral College was able to rest some players towards the end of the semi-final after taking a healthy lead against a brave St Margaret Mary’s College squad which suffered injuries.
The Cathedral College rallied today after losing their last pool match to Marymount College, showcasing the closeness of the fourth girls’ carnival in Confro history.
In the Confraternity Trophy race for girls’ Division 2, St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba will meet St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon in Thursday’s final.
St Joseph’s College defeated Holy Spirit College, Mackay 8-4 while St Ursula’s College toppled Marist College, Emerald 32-4 in their semi-final.
Girls’ Day 2 results
DIVISION 1
Pool A
St Patrick’s College, Mackay 10 d Shalom College, Bundaberg 4
St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 20 d Emmaus College, Rockhampton 8
Pool B
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 10 d The Cathedral College, Rockhampton 8
St James College, Brisbane 20 d Rockhampton Grammar School, Rockhampton 8
DIVISION 2
Pool A
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 20 d Marist College, Emerald 4
Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 8 d Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 6
Pool B
Holy Spirit College, Mackay 10 d St Patrick’s College, Townsville 0
St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 8 d Emmaus College, Jimboomba 6
Girls’ Semi-finals results
DIVISION 1 – CONFRATERNITY SHIELD
St James College, Brisbane 8 d St Patrick’s College, Mackay 4
The Cathedral College 26 d St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 10
Positional playoffs
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 10 d Emmaus College, Rockhampton 4
Rockhampton Grammar School, Rockhampton 14 d Shalom College, Bundaberg 8
DIVISION 2 – CONFRATERNITY TROPHY
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 8 d Holy Spirit College, Mackay 4
St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 32 d Marist College, Emerald 4
Positional playoffs
Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 16 d Emmaus College, Jimboomba 0
St Patrick’s College, Townsville 28 d Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 8
