The 2012 14’s and 16’s State Championships have wrapped up at Britannia Oval today with South taking the title in both age groups.
In the 14’s North needed to win by 20 points to take home the shield but South were too good and took out game three 30-12. South completed the clean sweep of the three game State Championship with a 24-5 victory.
North began their 14’s state title campaign strongly and were the first to cross the try line via Jack Daynes.
North made a powerful drive at the Southern defensive line and their consistent pressure eventually saw Daynes break through next to the posts. Number 8 Jake Mckellar added the extras easily to give them the 7-0 start.
A penalty goal kicked by fullback Christopher Gale opened up the South account and they claimed the lead not long after when lock Evan Stafford sprinted past the South defenders to the try line.
Malakai Chan Boon further extended their lead when he made full use of his size and barrelled over the try line. Gale’s kick was again on target and South were ahead 17-7 as they headed into the half time break.
North were determined to claw back the lead in the second half and centre Corey Teoroa kick started their campaign with a scintillating run from the half way line that resulted in a try. The conversion was missed and that signalled the last of North’s points.
South responded within a few minutes with a try of their own to Nicholas Gale and again not long after with a try to Sy Waiti. Christopher Gale missed both conversions but slotted his final attempt of the day, a penalty goal just before the final siren to cement North’s victory 30-12.
In the 16’s, North had a hard task ahead of them as they needed to win by 36 points or more to claim the state title.
It was an arm wrestle in the first half with just the one try scored by South centre Sean Erasmus.
The second half was more fruitful as South scored their second through a good line break from Erasmus who found Joseph Simpkins on the run and was finished by John Waqanivavalagi. Simpkins missed the conversion and South were ahead 10-0.
Luke Fouwler extended their lead with a third try and Simpkins added the extras.
Erueti Poihi saved North from a scoreless loss with his try with ten minutes on the clock. Simpkins however, further cemented the South victory with a final try in the dying minutes while Joel Lamatoa kicked the conversion to finish off the game 24-5.
Throughout the State Championships, the 16’s players have been assessed by RugbyWA representatives and the standout performers have been selected to join the squad that will contest the National Championships in Sydney later in the year.
The squad will be made available on the RugbyWA website on Monday.