13’s, 15’s & Opens Country Cup Rugby League

St Clare’s High School proudly fielded three teams - Under 13s, Under 15s, and Opens – at the annual Country Cup Rugby League tournament held in Tuncurry on Thursday 19 June.  All teams displayed grit, determination, and strong sportsmanship throughout the day, with several thrilling performances. 

Under 13 Boys 

The 13s opened their campaign in dramatic fashion against hometown favourites Great Lakes College.  In a tight and physical encounter, St Clare’s held their nerve with a match-winning try on fulltime to secure a 10-8 victory.  Their second match saw a more structured and dominant performance, outclassing Gloucester 22-2 with strong attacking runs and a resilient defensive wall.  In the grand final rematch against Great Lakes, fatigue and handling errors unfortunately crept in.  Despite their efforts, repeated turnovers in dangerous field positions proved costly, and Great Lakes took advantage to claim a 28-6 win.  The boys should be commended for their strong start, attacking flair, and defensive resolve throughout the day. 

Back Row: Tyson Crain, William Lovern, Zane Nixon, Fraser Howard, Kye Stewart, Boyce Bisset, Alex Millard, Xavier Hammond, Hayden Whyte-Butler & Hayden Sutton
Middle Row: Harry Cook, Zane Kesby, Matthew Drew-Colwell & Leo Ali
Front Row: Mako Moses, Nate Marriott & Hudson Marriott 

Under 15 Boys 

The 15s team started strongly with a clinical 16-0 win over Chatham High School, showcasing a well-disciplined defensive line and creative attacking combinations.  Their second match saw them up against a determined Great Lakes outfit.  Errors and lapses in discipline allowed their opponents to control possession and come away with an 18-4 win.  With a place in the final secured, the team regrouped with renewed focus and determination.  They returned to the field against Great Lakes with a much-improved mindset, dominating early field position to lead 6-0.  Although Great Lakes levelled the score with just five minutes remaining, St Clare’s showed immense composure and heart, scoring the winning try on full-time to seal a thrilling 12-6 victory.  The team’s defensive grit and attacking patience under pressure were key to their success.  

Back Row: Ethan Cullen, Hudson Duckett, Koen Paff, Oscar Ryan, Nicholas Pereira, Hamish Anderson, Kobi Egan, Arlie Atchison, Mason Kesby & Archie Hanley
Front Row: Xavier Wilkes, Jaxon Whyte-Butler, Callum Sheridan, Blake Stewart, Ashton Robertson, Lachlan Polson & Noel Saunders

Opens Boys 

The Opens played a single match against Great Lakes and delivered a commanding 32-14 victory.  Their performance was characterised by powerful attacking sets, clever ball movement, and a rock-solid defensive line that repeatedly turned away opposition raids.  The boys controlled the tempo from start to finish, demonstrating maturity and cohesion across the park. 

Congratulations to all players and coaching staff for representing St Clare’s with pride and spirit.  The school community is extremely proud of your efforts both on and off the field. 

Lastly, congratulations to our Under 15s and Opens teams, who have now progressed to the Regional Finals later in the year in Port Macquarie.  We wish them the best of luck as they prepare to take on the best from across the region.  Go St Clare’s! 

Matthew Collier
Country Cup Coordinator

Diocesan Sport Website Guide for Secondary Schools