Iggy Park storm into decider
IGNATIUS Park College is just one game away from lifting the Confraternity Shield after a sensational 40-4 victory over Brisbane’s Padua College in yesterday’s semifinal in Bundaberg.
Jackson O’grady, Braithen Knox, and John Nawara scored doubles as Iggy Park blew their rivals off the park to book their place in today’s decider against The Cathedral College, Rockhampton.
Iggy Park were running into a swirling breeze in the first half, but they were unfazed as centre Lachlan Maginnis found space down the left edge to score the opening try after just five minutes.
Padua conceded a penalty for being off-side from the restart as an offload from Iggy Park lock Tai Laidlow allowed winger John Nawara to dive over in the corner and extend their lead to 8-0.
Iggy Park had conceded just one try in their previous four matches, but Padua made the most of their first attacking chance as winger Rhys Scudamore finished off a slick backline movement.
Backrower Will Buchanan ran strong line to give Iggy Park some breathing space again at 14-4 before Padua were reduced to 12 players as halfback Sefa Roache-faimalo was given an automatic send off for a shoulder charge.
Iggy Park wasted no time taking advantage as O’grady scored a simple try from dummy half and five-eighth put Knox through a gap to make it 24-4 at halftime.
A run of penalties early in the second half gifted Padua the chance to start their comeback, but Iggy Park’s goal line defence could not be breached.
O’grady then grabbed his second try with an elusive run from dummy half before Knox also completed his double moments later as the score blew out to 36-4 in Iggy Park’s favour.
Padua went within inches of scoring a consolation try, but Nawara took an intercept and raced the length of the field to seal an impressive win for the Townsville school.
“We’re springboarding our attack off good defence … we back ourselves to be able to hold teams out,” Iggy Park coach Steve Lansley said.
“All the coaching staff here this week have seen the boys grow in confidence. They’ve come together really well as a team as the week’s gone on and that’s helped us too.”
Iggy Park beat The Cathedral College 34-0 in the Aaron Payne Cup last month, but Lansley expected them to be much harder in the final.