VICTORIAN rugby schoolboys have never gone as far as the Hallam Senior College rugby team has just achieved.
Playing in the GIO Trophy Country Cup semi-finals – held last week in Nicholson Oval, Cootamundra, New South Wales – Hallam Senior College has progressed through the semi-finals of the GIO Schoolboy trophy for Rugby League after a long tough day in Cootamundra.
Hallam had to earn the right to make the final on the day by defeating Holy Spirit College 34-6 and Red Bend College – Forbes, which the school knocked off 12-0.
It left the Victorians in the historically rare position of winning a New South Wales rugby championship as it battled The Riverina Anglican College – Wagga Wagga. Jamie Fardell’s charges emerged triumphant with a 22-4 win that pushed the Victorian representatives through to the next stage.
Hallam head of rugby league Jamie Fardell said the best players were Tokorima Metua, Eddy Tuilotolava, Angelo Leaupepe and Zac Patch.
“They did a great job – first time it’s been in this format – we just had the three games in the same day,” Fardell said.
“Decent opposition and they were good enough to get the win.
“It’s definitely been a goal of Hallam and a couple of other schools – we’ve won it and gotten through since 2007 and this has always been our aim to get this far so it’s a massive achievement and the boys are really looking forward to it.”
Hallam will now play in the GIO Trophy Country Final on Wednesday 6 August at Apex Oval in Dubbo at APEX Oval/Stadium with opposition to be confirmed from the Northern country area on the 6 August for the New South Wales Country Rugby League Final.
The winner of that match will go through to the GIO Schoolboy Final on the 27 August against the NSW City/Metropolitan winners.
