Erindale College have created history, advancing to next Wednesday's Grand Final in the inaugural NSW Schoolgirls Cup after defeating Bass SHS 12-8 at Campbelltown Stadium.
Erindale unfortunately went down 22-16 to Westfields SHS in an epic semi-final of the Peter Mulholland Cup after an enormous tournament from the schoolboys side.
NSW Schoolgirls Cup: Erindale College 12 d Bass SHS 8
Erindale have pulled off the upset of the tournament, coming back to defeat the first-seeded Bass SHS 12-8 at Campbelltown Stadium.
Bass found themselves on the attack early on, crossing through Faustina Akeje who proved too strong for the Erindale defence to lead 4-nil after 10 minutes.
The match was quite end to end with Bass continually applying pressure on Erindale, but still the scores remained 4-nil.
Bass finally broke through with Faustina Akeje diving over for a four-pointer to extend their lead to 8-nil.
Finally, Erindale found a way through the strong Bass defence, this time Lahni Hall crossing the stripe to build some momentum for the ACT side.
Bass began to disrespect the ball, giving up costly field position for a hungry Erindale side.
They struck through Uta Uatisone Poka, who made a strong carry down the right touchline to level the scores 8-all. The conversion waved away, looking down the barrel of golden point with only minutes remaining.
But back-to-back sets gave Erindale a fighting chance right on the stroke of fulltime. They spread the ball left and Mya McGlynn created the overlap to score a historic try for the visitors.
The fulltime siren would blow just seconds later to advance Erindale straight into next Wednesday's Grand Final against Hills SHS at Campbelltown.
Peter Mulholland Cup: Erindale College 16 def by Westfields SHS 22
The Westfields defence absorbed some early pressure and back-to-back penalties presented Erindale a perfect opportunity.
Halfback Jonah Anderson placed a pinpoint chip kick for Olli Bolatagici who flew up to take the ball and score the first points of the match. Sam Gash converted to lead 6-nil after six minutes.
Erindale found themselves straight back on the attack only five minutes later, capitalising on a Westfields error.
Erindale's very own Australian Schoolboy, Xavier Cacciotti, caught the markers napping and scored from dummy half to extend their lead. Gash nailed the conversion to lead 12-nil.
The very next set, Mark Tuialii received some early ball, breaking the defence to chip kick the fullback, but couldn't ground the ball, giving Westfields a seven-tackle set.
Westfields capatilised on their first real opportunity through five-eighth Lachlan Galvin, who scored out of dummy half for their first points of the afternoon. Erindale led 12-4 after 15 minutes.
In the blink of an eye, Westfields found themselves on the attack again. This time, Galvin taking the ball to the line and shifting the ball to the left wing for Bryson Anai-Roberts to score in the corner. Quiroz-Mapusua converted to trail Erindale 12-10.
Westfields ruck speed continued to damage the Erindale defence, simply moving up the field too quick.
Five-eighth Lachlan Galvin had his hands all over the first half, this time kicking for Sisefu Finau to score right on the stroke of halftime.
Quiroz-Mapusua converted again to give Wests a 16-12 lead heading into the break.
Erindale controlled things nicely over the opening ten minutes of the second half, getting through their sets and putting pressure on the Westfields defence.
Until Westfields fullback Luke Lauliili injected himself into the game, taking an Erindale bomb in traffic and returning it for a 60 metre run.
This gave Westfields the field position to strike for their first points through dummy half Heith Pritchard to extend their lead. The conversion was successful, taking the score to 22-12 after 40 minutes.
Erindale were running out of time as Westfields held a perfect completion rate throughout the second half, now building pressure on the Erindale side.
Mathais Tomuli Ah-Kuoi brought some impact off the bench, breaking the Westfields defensive line. Tomuli Ah-Kuoi had Cacciotti screaming on his inside but he dummied and took the tackle.
Bolatagici then received some early ball and proved too strong to score a momentous try for Erindale. Gash missed the conversion to trail 22-16 with ten minutes remaining.
With the clock winding down, Erindale pleaded to go the full 60 minutes with Westfields, giving their absolute all.
Westfields looked like they had wrapped it all up before a contentious penalty went against them with possession of the ball, granting Erindale one last chance.
Markuzz Ofanoa was sin binned from Westfields in the final minute which left it 13 on 12.
On the last play, Erindale spread it through the hands for winger Koko Salim to be denied in the far touchline from great cover defence.
Fulltime: Westfields SHS 22 d Erindale College 16
Image by Richard Dobson
