Bruising Bevan helps put PBC into state final

A VICTOR Radley-like performance from Palm Beach Currumbin lock Josh Bevan has helped his side soar into the NRL Schoolboy Cup state final.

It marks the Reds’ first appearance in the Queensland decider since 2014 when they had current-day Gold Coast Titans enforcer Keegan Hipgrave in their ranks.

PBC ambushed Townsville’s Ignatius Park College through the middle third of the field in their 38-16 semi-final win at Redcliffe yesterday.

Several of the five first-half tries that took them to a 30-0 lead came through the middle, with Reds coach Aaron Zimmerle likening 16-year-old Tweed product Bevan’s “enormous” role to that of hardhitting Sydney Roosters NRL young gun Radley.

“He did a Victor Radley. He ran out the other side and banged anything that moved,” Zimmerle said.

Halfback Tom Dearden pipped him for official man of the match honours but Zimmerle was happy with the display of all 17 of his players against a dogged Ignatius Park outfit.

“If I had to coach another team, I would be proud to coach a side like them (Ignatius Park),” he said.

“They were physical, they had some really good shape, you got nothing for free but I think we just found our formula.

“We defended stronger than we did the previous week but we still played the same way through the middle of the ruck and we were pretty devastating there early.”

The Queensland final will be on September 12 at Langlands Park in Brisbane. PBC’s opponent will be Kirwan, who beat Marsden 22-16 yesterday.