Scrappy PBC manage to join Keebra in semis
PALM Beach Currumbin have scraped through a tough NRL Schoolboy Cup quarter-final to join Keebra Park in the last four of the southeast Queensland draw.
With the competition entering the knockout phase after a seven-week hiatus, PBC were pushed all the way by Ipswich on Tuesday before a line break by star half Tom Dearden paved the way for Josh Bevan to score the matchwinning try.
“We were scrappy with the ball,” coach Aaron Zimmerle said of the 22-16 result.
“We only were maybe 50 per cent for our completions but defensively they showed real professionalism and composure because the opposition had a heap of footy against us and were probably the bigger and more powerful side.”
Centre Will Evans was among the best for PBC in shutting down Ipswich danger man Leevai Sutton.
Zimmerle’s side will face Wavell next Wednesday at Kougari Oval in Wynnum, straight after Keebra meet Marsden in the other semi.
Keebra coach Glen Campbell rated his team’s 34-16 performance against St Marys a “five out of 10”.
“We have got plenty of points in us but we have got to work on our defence. They scored a couple of late tries that we shouldn’t have let in and that’s an attitude thing,” Campbell said.
“It will come. (Marsden) have got some good players … if we play like that, we will lose.”
Marsden defeated Coombabah 46-4 on Tuesday.