Maroon 34 (Alex Tallon 2, Brodie Oxenham, Charlie Fetoia, Tyson Lofipo, Ben Matterson, Bruce Kolio tries; Jacob Fauid 2, Brodie Oxenham goals) def White 28 (Daniel Issac 3, Paul Ivan, Danny Beresford, David Georgiou tries, Marty Paulson 2 goals)
MATCH REPORT:
Ipswich turned on a warm, sunny day for the final selection trial before the selection of the two Qld U19 sides for 2006, the main side to take on NSW in the curtain-raiser to the first State of Origin match in Sydney on May 24, and the second to take on a PNG Develepment squad as the first curtain-raiser to the second State of Origin Match at Suncorp Stadium on June 14.
The Maroons started better and were on the board after 5 minutes when a well-timed pass from Jacob Fauid put Alex Tallon through a gap for him to score wide out for a 4-0 lead. It was the White side that dominated the next 15 minutes however, with firstly a Maroon mistake presenting David Georgiou with a gift try from 15 metres out and then two spectacular tries scored by Daniel Issac giving them a 14-4 lead. Issac's first was after a he picked up a spilled ball and dashed clear, his chip kick over the fullback only being partially charged down and bouncing back into his hands, and the second off an inside ball from a break by winger Brandon Boor. The Maroon side steadied however, and struck back after 25 minutes with Jacob Fauid recovering his own chip kick and putting Tyson Lofipo in. In the five minutes before half time the Maroon side scored two critical try, the first a determined effort by Alex Tallon who pushed his way through four defenders to score and the second right on the break when Ben "Bam-Bam" Matterson powered over after a White error, the Maroons going to the break leading 18-14.
The Maroons started the second half strongly and extended their lead after only 2 minutes when Bruce Kolio recovered another Fauid chip kick to score under the posts. It looked as though the Maroons may run away with the match when Charlie Fetoia scored from a scrum move with 22 minutes remaining extending the Maroon's lead to 28-14, but the Whites fought back with a similar try to centre Paul Ivan from a scrum move bringing the gap back to 8 with 15 minutes remaining. Another Charlie Fetoia break proved to be the match sealer, when he positioned full back Brodie Oxenham perfectly for a try, with the conversion giving the Maroons a 14 point lead with 9 minutes to go. To the White side's credit however they managed two late tries, the first bringing up Daniel Issac's hat-trick off a good offload from Rohan Ahern, and the second right on fulltime when Danny Beresford tipoed down the sideline from a good dummy-half ball to score in the corner, bring the final score to 34-28 to the Maroons.
Whilst the game was a little disjointed at times, as a lot of these type of matches can be, it was very entertaining with all players contributing to the spectacle. For the Maroons, the halves of Jacob Fauid and Michael Bond were outstanding, although Fauid was forced from the field with a hip injury with 14 minutes remaining. Tyson Lofipo made some damaging runs, as did Charlie Fetoia. The battle between ex-Sprana centres Alex Tallon and Daniel Issac was great to watch, particularly in the first half when they both bagged two tries, and a memorable turn and chase by Tallon denied Issac a first half hat-trick, although Issac did get across for his third late in the second session. The Maroon forwards were solid without being spectacular with Isaac Schwenke, Ben Matterson and Bruce Kolio the pick of them. For the Whites halves Matt Smith and David Georgiou went well as did hooker Brent Kuskey. Keiron Lander went well in the forwards, well supported by Rohan Ahern.
STATS: Penalties: 2-2; Scrums: 7-7; Completions: Maroon 20/30, White 19/29
TEAMS:
MAROON
WHITE
WHITE1. Taputoa REA rep by Brodie OXENHAM (WB) 1. Marty PAULSON*(Burleigh Colts)
2. Anthony PERKINS rep by Chris CONWAY (Cent) 2. David TYRRELL* rep by Brandon BOOR (T'ville)
3. Will CHAMBERS* rep by Alex TALLON* (Aspley) 3. Paul IVAN (Sun.Coast A Gde)
4. Shane NEUMANN rep by Charlie FETOIA (Aspley) 4. Israel FOLAU** rep by Daniel ISSAC* (Norths)
5. Daniel ROBERT* rep by Tyson LOFIPO*(Ipswich) 5. Daniel ISSAC* rep by Danny BERESFORD (SW)
6. Michael BOND (Aspley Colts) 6. David GEORGIOU (Easts Colts)
7. Jackson NICOLAU rep by Jacob FAUID (Aspley) 7. Matt SMITH* (Wynnum Colts)
8. Isaac SCHWENKE* (Norths Colts) 8. David TAYLOR* rep by Adam KAMBOURIS (Norths)
9. Nathan STRUDWICK* rep by Harry WITT*(Tweed) 9. Brent KUSKEY (Easts Colts)
10.Greg BYRNES (Townsville) 10.Pat McPHERSON* (Aspley Colts)
11.Ben MATTERSON (Norths A Gde) 11.Brendan GIBB (Gladstone)
12.Callum WILSON (Gladstone) 12.Scott BOLTON rep by Rohan AHERN* (Norths)
13.Charlie FETOAI rep by Aiden GUERRA (Norths) 13.Keiron LANDER (Aspley Colts)
Interchange Interchange
Interchange14.Matt LINDSAY (Tweed Colts) 14.Adam KAMBOURIS rep by Paul SMITH (Burleigh)
15.Aiden GUERRA* rep by Bruce KOLIO (Wynnum) 15.Liam CAPEWELL (Tambo)
16.Lachlan SIPPEL rep by James RIX (Tweed) 16.Brandon BOOR rep by Josh PHELPS (South West)
17.Simona VAVEGA*(Aspley Colts) 17.Alex TALLON* rep by Brendan HOARE (Burleigh)
Coach: Wayne TreleavenCoach: Shane McNally
Coach: Shane McNallyAssembly and Medical: Thursday, 11 May 10am Robertson Gardens
