The Farrer U14s found themselves facing a much bigger side in Eagle Vale, although that didn’t deter them, the home crowd cheering them on as their attitude and commitment in defence kept them on the front foot in the opening stages.

The smaller side were committing plenty of number to each tackle to counter-act the size difference and it worked a treat, even causing some errors in the visitors attack.

Farrer looked like being on top of what developed into a tight arm wrestle as the game remained scoreless into the break.

The home side had plenty of ball in the attacking half and some good opportunities early on but couldn’t quite find the break, and that is why coach Damien McManus was so disappointed after the match.

“I am disappointed with the result but certainly not the effort,” McManus said.

“We just missed our chances and you can’t do that against a much larger opponent.” 

Buoyed by a swell in crowd numbers as the recess bell rang the home side kept setting up great attacking sets in Eagle Vale’s half, but on several occasions the ball was hitting the ground on the final pass, and on others a fifth tackle option wasn’t taken as the visitors showed excellent line defence.

“We were creating opportunities and missing opportunities,” McManus said.

The second half started the same way, although as the Farrer defence began to tire and the big Eagle Vale bench began finding their feet the game began to open up through the middle.

Ten minutes into the second half a stripping penalty 30 metres out cost Farrer, as Eagle Vale shifted it left for centre Maladu Fomai to step over for first points.

Ten minutes later the electric centre struck again after Eagle Vale stormed down the middle to go 8-nil, and when barnstorming utility Lopa Matigatau took the kick off and tore downfield to set up Manese Latu for a second tackle try the game was over, despite the fact that the visitors were unable to hit a conversion for a 12-nil win and semifinal berth.

“We have had such a good season that it is disappointing to finish it this way,” McManus said.

“To progress to the final eight was a big effort from the boys.” 

“I am very proud.” 

The coach thought that prop Jack Todd and five-eighth Jhett Butler were stand-outs.

Today the Farrer First XIII will take on Westfield Sports High in the Elite Tier University Shield clash at John Simpson Oval at 12pm.