Rockhampton Grammar School has surged into its first Confraternity Shield girls’ final with a solo act from their captain setting up a stirring semi-final win in Brisbane today.
Skipper Evan Sullivan scooted 50 metres in the first half for a try that catapulted Rockhampton Grammar to a 20-4 win over former champions St Patrick’s College, Mackay.
On a neighbouring field, St James’ College, Spring Hill survived an extra-time classic against defending champions The Cathedral College, Rockhampton to book a spot in Thursday’s final.
St James captain Mia Ualesi crossed early in extra-time for a 12-8 win in a rematch of last year’s Shield finalists.
This sixth girls’ ACU Confraternity Carnival continues to showcase the talent of teams from 16 Catholic and Independent schools around Queensland. “Confro” is run by Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League and sponsored by Australian Catholic University.
Marist College, Ashgrove has hosted this year’s carnival which has featured some memorable girls’ performances including today’s efforts by Rockhampton Grammar.
Coach Nikki Carpenter has blended players who specialise in league with some from rugby union backgrounds to forge a squad that will face the strength of St James’ College in Thursday’s decider.
“We have just been working really hard and kept showing up and we haven’t taken no for an answer,” Carpenter said.
“We have prepared well for this carnival. We lost a few home games in our local competition and we lost our first game here by two points. But from then we have picked up good momentum.”
The try from skipper Sullivan was matched by Offiliah Chippendale’s inspiring effort to seal the match for Grammar late in the second half. Chippendale blasted through the St Patrick’s College defence to score beneath the posts.
In the other semi-final, St James’ College again The Cathedral College again fought out a memorable match. Last year, The Cathedral College edged back from a six-point deficit to claim the Shield final.
This time, St James’ College found a way through when the scores were locked at the end of regular time.
In Division 2, Emmaus College, Rockhampton who won their semi-final 6-4 will face St Patrick’s College, Townsville on Thursday in the Trophy final.
GIRLS DAY 2 RESULTS
DIVISION 1
Pool A
The Cathedral College, Rockhampton 22 d St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 6
Rockhampton Grammar School 14 d Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 12
Pool B
St James’ College, Spring Hill 10 d Shalom College, Bundaberg 0
St Patrick’s College, Mackay 14 d Chanel College, Gladstone 4
Confraternity Shield semi-finals
Rockhampton Grammar School 20 d St Patrick’s College, Mackay 4
St James College, Spring Hill 12 d The Cathedral College, Rockhampton 8
Positional playoffs
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 20 d Chanel College, Gladstone 0
St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsville 8 d Shalom College, Bundaberg 6
DIVISION 2
Pool A
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 10 d Emmaus College, Jimboomba 0
Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 28 d Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 0
Pool B
Emmaus College, Rockhampton 12 d St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 4
St Patrick’s College, Townsville 34 d Marist College, Emerald 4
Confraternity Trophy semi-finals
Emmaus College, Rockhampton 6 d St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 4
St Patrick’s College, Townsville 30 d Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 0
Positional playoffs
St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon 20 d Mt Maria College, Mitchelton 0
Emmaus College, Jimboomba 12 d Marist College, Emerald 0
Photo by QISSRL / Bradley Kanaris
