Heartbreak For Mercy Colts In Cowboys Challenge Thriller

St Patrick’s College and Mercy College Mackay may have suffered heart-breaking losses in schoolboy rugby league Grand Finals over the past fortnight, but the talent pool remains very deep.

On the cusp of an historic Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge Shield premiership double, both teams produced lion-hearted performances in recent title deciders – only to stumble at the final sporting hurdle.

It was a case of so close but yet too far for the Mackay rugby league giants as Townsville powerhouses Kirwan State High and Ignatius Park College spoilt the fairytale finish by posting dramatic victories in their respective finals.

Despite the Grand Final losses, the future looks very bright for both St Patrick’s and Mercy College who will play under the one banner when the schools amalgamate in 2023.

With its thriving Rugby League Academy, the schools continue to unearth a wealth of talent in the boys and girls ranks that should keep the College in good stead for many years to come.

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Pic caption: Talented hooker Hudson Clark was a tower of strength for Mercy College in their heartbreaking Cowboys Challenge Grand Final loss recently to Kirwan State High

KIRWAN State High School scored a last gasp try after the full-time bell to sink Mercy College 14-11 and lift the Cowboys Challenge Shield trophy at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

Playmaker Logan Deininger proved the hero for Kirwan with two moments of magic after rival five eighth Adam McSherry had potted a clutch field goal to give Mercy an 11-10 advantage with less than sixty seconds left on the clock.

From the ensuing kickoff Deininger caught the Mercy defence napping when he regained his short grubber-style kick to launch a final Kirwan attacking raid.

As the siren sounded, Deininger threw a cut-out pass to bustling winger Don Paiyala who twisted through tackles before planting the ball in the corner for a sensational match-winning try.

Paiyala had earlier nabbed Kirwan’s opening try after a passing rush before Mercy half back Kooper Shears pounced on a loose ball to score with McSherry adding the extras for a 6-4 lead close to the break.

CJ Tapaitau set up Kirwan’s second try after a powerful surge and off load to Brooklyn Ivey who crossed in the corner with Deininger converting from the sideline for a 10-6 lead.

Mercy levelled the scores when forward Hunter Harris latched onto a kick in the in-goal to grab his side’s second try with McSherry’s conversion attempt swinging wide.

But the talented five eighth thought he had wrapped up a thoroughly deserved premiership for Mercy when he booted a field goal under extreme pressure to give his side an 11-10 lead in the dying moments.

The devastating loss was sheer heartbreak for Mercy coaches Ian Schifilliti and Matthew Paul and the players who performed strongly throughout the 2022 Challenge series.

They suffered a huge blow in the lead up to the Grand Final when star forward Cohen Jackson, a Queensland Under 15 representative, was ruled out with injury.

Promising utility forward Saxon Crofts again worked like a trojan in attack and defence and was close to Mercy’s Most Valuable Player this series.

Crofts, who helped the Souths Sharks qualify for the finals in the Mackay Junior League U/15s premiership this season, has developed into a team mainstay - earning the tag of “Mr Perpetual Motion” on the football field.

A versatile colt, Saxon also shone at half back for the Sharks in a 20-10 elimination final loss to the Magpies last Saturday at Mackay Junior League Fields.

Other Mercy players to impress were hooker Hudson Clark, centres Toby Woodall and Lachlan Whippy, forwards Hunter Harris, Reuben Saron, Mark Morrow, Javen Ramsamy and halves McSherry and Shears.

By Chris Karas

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