MacKillop Saints have refused to give up in a stirring 14-12 comeback win over Taminmin College in Palmerston.
MacKillop Saints have started their Parramatta Eels Cup campaign with a hard fought victory over Taminmin College. After some significant injury setbacks during the week, MacKillop's squad took the field on Tuesday afternoon in what promised to be an exciting match up. In the opening exchanges, the game had all the hallmarks of a classic forwards battle and with the scores locked at 0 - 0 at the Half Time break, the match was always going to be an arm wrestle. Taminmin broke the deadlock early in the second half, running in next to the uprights, leaving easy work for their kicker. However, it would be MacKillop to respond mere moments later thanks to some brilliant footwork by full back Stepheno George. Philip Vo added the 2 points and the game was back to equal footing. Some sloppy ball handling and a scrum in scoring territory would invite Taminmin to score next. Running through a tired defensive line, Taminmin's forwards pushed through a hole behind MacKillop's markers. The Saint's persisted, though, and found the line via a Dummy-half scoot near the corner by the impressible Nathan Dixon. However, hopes of equalising the game seemingly slipped painfully from reach when Philip Vo's conversion bounced off the cross bar. Trailing 10 - 12 with mere seconds on the clock, MacKillop lifted once more. The Saint's forwards drove hard into enemy territory and once more brought the Saints within reach of the line. Some quick, brilliant kicking from William Lasker, saw the ball too tricky to handle for the Taminmin Fullback and a scrum was set 15m out from MacKillop's line. An ambitious back line play was mounted with the match-winning try coming in the form of a desperate offload by Philip Vo to see Max Fraser cross the line in the corner. Rugby League Director, David Graham said of the match, "We were always going to have a battle on our hands...Taminmin are formidable opponents. We have doubled our efforts this year and the results speak for themselves. There is great self-belief and resilience in this team, confidence is high".
Coach Matthew Sharp expressed, "Today's win was a great result. The boys will enjoy this, however they know what is required in the weeks ahead. There was a lot to like about today, however there many areas where we can improve". Eels Cup Round 2 will see MacKillop take on long time rivals Katherine High School to a secure valuable top 2 finish in the pool rounds.
TRY SCORERS: Stepheno George, Nathan Dixon, Max Fraser CONVERSIONS: Philip Vo 1/3 MAN OF THE MATCH: Zane McConell HALFTIME SCORE: 0 - 0 FULL TIME SCORE: MacKillop Saints 14 - 12 Taminmin College
NEXT MATCH: MACKILLOP SAINTS v KATHERINE HIGH SCHOOL WED MAY 9, 2018 @ 5PM MACKILLOP CATHOLIC COLLEGE