By JARROD POTTER
IT WAS a hectic day for Hallam Senior College’s rugby league side on Wednesday as it flew to Sydney, almost stole the upset GIO CUP victory over Matraville Sports High and flew back to Melbourne with a lot of confidence in the carry-on luggage.
Erskineville Oval in Sydney was the scene of a major turning point in Australian rugby league history – the first time a Victorian school played in the NRL schoolboys’ competition.
Up and back in a single day, with a hard-fought game in between, Hallam took the field for the first battle in its maiden GIO Schoolboys Cup campaign and fell 28-34 despite a strong start.
Matraville fired back to take the lead and hold on, despite a gallant three try effort in the dying minutes from Hallam.
Two contentious disallowed tries could have pushed Hallam into the lead, but it wasn’t meant to be to take a debut win in its first match.
Coach Jamie Fardell said the loss still showed the capability of the roster and most importantly, that Hallam is at the standard necessary for the cup.
“It was really good to see that we are at that level,” Fardell said.
“The boys bought into it and were extremely proud to be the first ones representing us and being on that stage.
“You have it in your head that you think you’re at that standard, but to see it happen after all this time and effort it was definitely pleasing.”
Fardell praised John Sauni in his first Hallam match for his hit-ups and try-scoring efforts, along with Tokorima Metua and skipper Jake Johan for their impressive feats in the inaugural GIO Cup clash.
The second fixture in Hallam’s GIO Cup campaign will be 15 June in Melbourne – either at Gosch’s Paddock or on AAMI Park.
“Next two games will be pretty tough,” Fardell said.
“They’re two of the top four teams in the country and we’ll see how we go against the best around.”
Applications are open for Hallam Sports Academy with an Information Night next Monday 1 June and an Open Day on 3 June.
For more information, visit the Hallam Senior College website www.hallamssc.vic.edu.au.
