Ignatius Park fall short in finale

IGNATIUS Park College have fallen short of defending their Confraternity Shield title after losing to first- time winners Rockhampton Grammar 18- 10 in yesterday’s grand final.

A fightback appeared on the cards when Iggy Park trailed 14- 10 midway through the second half, but Rockhampton held on with a strong defensive effort before scoring the winner near full- time.

Iggy Park were among the pre- tournament favourites and entered yesterday’s decider at Brisbane’s Padua College in ominous form after downing St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe 40- 0 in the Wednesday’s semifinals, but Rockhampton were not intimidated by the traditional big guns.

“The boys are sore and sorry after a week of footy and obviously disappointed, but they made the school proud,” Iggy Park coach Christian Quabba said.

“Rocky were chasing some history, they came out of the blocks firing and they deserved to win. We made errors at crucial times, but credit to Rocky for turning up for each other and running hard.

“It’s that type of effort which wins big games.”

Rockhampton wasted no time getting their first try by scoring in the right corner less than five minutes after kick- off, and they scored down the same side a handful of sets later to make it 8- 0. All the running was with Rockhampton, but Iggy Park worked hard in defence and eventually got their reward when Adam Cook crossed to make it 8- 4.

Iggy Park started to find their rhythm and worked back into territory, only for unforced errors to deny them a late chance at grabbing a lead.

Iggy Park were then handed a further blow when Logan Bayliss- Brown was sin- binned for 10 minutes for a professional foul, and Rockhampton took advantage by crossing the tryline with less than two minutes before the break to make it 14- 4.

An injury to a Rockhampton player led to a lengthy delay early in the second stanza as an ambulance was called, and it seemed to work in Iggy Park’s favour when Sean Mullany scored near the posts to make it 14- 10 with full- time approaching. But Rockhampton resumed their hard- hitting ways to secure the late winner and get the historic win. RESULTS Shield final: The Rockhampton Grammar School 18 d Ignatius Park College 10. Trophy final: Marymount College 10 d Emmaus College 7

Plate final: Marist College, 20 d Clairvaux Mackillop College 18

Bowl Final: St Joseph’s College/ Assumption College 24 d All Souls St Gabriel’s School, 22. Cup final: Ryan Catholic College 30 d Trinity College 6