The MacKillop Saints Years 7/8 and 9/10 Boys teams kicked off their Taminmin Tri-Series campaign with a pair of hard-fought away victories, delivering two cracking contests of NT Schoolboys Rugby League at Taminmin College.
The day opened with the junior clash—a milestone for many players making their high school rugby debut. It couldn’t have started more perfectly for Josh Roberts, who announced his arrival in Saints colours in dreamlike fashion. Playing out of position at lock, Roberts pounced on a loose ball in the in-goal area to score the opening try with his very first touch.
Minutes later, Saints skipper Harry Liddle capped off a strong opening stanza, slicing through to score to the left of the posts and put the Saints up 10-0. The Saints looked to be cruising—until they weren’t. A lapse in defensive intensity let Taminmin back into the contest with two quickfire tries before the break, leaving the match delicately poised.
In the halftime huddle, Saints head coach Mr Matthew Sharp praised the attacking flair on display but was quick to call out the team’s complacency. “You can’t afford to sit back and admire your work,” Sharp told his young side. “Stick to our defensive systems, complete your sets to the fifth tackle—do that, and you’ll get the result.”
Message received.
The second half began with both sides locked in a tight arm wrestle, but it was Saints who cracked it open. Liddle combined beautifully with Year 8 livewire Andrew Mutanda, who exploded through a gap on the right edge and left the fullback grasping at air to restore Saints’ lead. Sharp later likened Mutanda to a “young Dylan Mugadza” with his timing and footwork.
Further tries followed in similar fashion, with fullback Bryce Morley and second-rower Gabriel Walsh both crossing thanks to classy service from Liddle. When Walsh—a Year 8 debutant who had patiently waited for his opportunity—dove over, the Saints bench erupted in celebration.
A missed conversion after Walsh’s try left the final score at 20-12 in favour of the Saints, a deserved win built on moments of individual brilliance and improved second-half discipline. Player of the Match honours went to Zaiden Smith, who moved from the second row to prop with minimal notice and delivered a tireless performance on both sides of the ball.
Coach Sharp was also pleased with the efforts of fellow debutants Quincy Carter and Leyland Mati-Leifi. “Both boys are still playing mod league as far as I’m aware, but they didn’t look out of place. I just wanted to give them a taste of Saints footy today—and they delivered. Mati-Leifi forced an error straight off the bench, and Carter played with the kind of grit I saw in his older brothers.”
Another standout was Year 7 hooker Lachlan Kiernan, who turned heads with his composure and game sense. Drawing comparisons to crafty Year 9 rake Walter Lasker, Kiernan’s decision-making and timing from dummy half were reminiscent of a hooker well beyond his age. “He’s one to watch,” Sharp said.
In the senior game, it was an all-out defensive battle, with neither side giving an inch in a bruising first half that ended 0-0. Saints had to dig deep, holding off a relentless Taminmin attack thanks to key interventions from stalwart Zed Buzza and debutant Bailey Mugford, both of whom denied certain tries with gutsy defensive efforts.
With scoring at a premium, it was debutant fullback Tarquin Banderson who proved the difference, bagging a crucial double to steer the Saints to a 12-4 win. His second try, a dazzling solo effort, sealed the deal and ensured Saints took home the first of three clashes for the prestigious Oren ‘Tiger’ Tyler Honorary Claret Pewter Jug.
The next round of the tri-series is set for Week 9, again at Taminmin College in Humpty Doo. With several key players set to return from unavailability, Coach Sharp faces some welcome selection headaches heading into Round 2.
Special thanks go to assistant coach Miss Alisi and team hydration expert Mrs Jane Marshall, whose support kept the boys fresh, focused, and fired up throughout the day.
