A MIRACLE offload and streaking half-field run saw St Edward’s Primary School score a golden-point try to claim the Peel Schools Carnival primary Open Division on Saturday as over 35 teams lined up for the nation’s longest-running rugby league carnival.
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Following two convincing wins over Tamworth Public and Hillvue, the St Ed’s boys found themselves up against a determined Westdale in the final.
St Ed’s hadn’t had a point scored against them all day although, when the final hooter went, the two sides found themselves tied up at 4-all after impressive defensive displays from both teams.
With all finals played at the same time across all divisions, this was the only game to still be going as the sides headed into extra time golden point as the crowd from other games came over to watch.
For the first five minutes Westdale were camped on St Ed’s line and looked certain to score a few times, with a couple of try-saving efforts made as the ball went side to side looking for a gap.
After the first period of golden point, the sides were still in a stalemate and changed sides, with St Ed’s running towards the Peel at Minor League fields.
Both sides had opportunities to score with a few big breaks, but it was St Ed’s who would come out on top when Kyson Cooper made a dart from dummy half on the half- way line.
In the schoolboy rules, only the hooker, who wears a vest, can get tackled from dummy half and, without the vest on, Cooper looked to get wrapped up after showing good footwork to get out wide.
With two Westdale players wrapping him up a pass from nowhere popped out and perfectly hit a flying Ben Chick on the chest who streaked away, showing good pace to beat the cover defence and race away to score the try and wrap up the prestigious title.
St Ed’s principal Gary McSweeney couldn’t believe it, hoping that someone had captured the final play on camera while coach Pat Lawler joined in the boys’ celebrations.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from the boys today,” Lawler said.
“And to finish it like that..”
Lawler thought that Chick might have been the player of the tournament for the side, although also gave a special mention to props John Patterson and Jayden Pengilley, who played through a corked leg suffered in the earlier games.
“They took it up hard all day and were great,” Lawler said.
“The whole team was great.
“We only let in one try in three games – it was a top effort.”
In the other divisions, Gunnedah South were impressive, taking out the 7a and 8a competitions, while Westdale got one back, taking out the U9s.
