Palm Beach ready if clash goes down to wire
PALM Beach Currumbin’s match scenario training sessions have held them in good stead for a run of NRL Schoolboy Cup thrillers, according to halfback Tom Dearden.
The Reds have now gone a step further than when they were edged by Marsden in 2017, reaching the statewide semi-finals after beating Ipswich 22-16 and then Wavell 30-28.
Next in their path is Ignatius Park College at Redcliffe today and they are sure to be confident if the clash goes down to the wire.
“We’ve been training for those tight games, like we have had a bit of scenario stuff so the boys are pretty confident when we get into those sorts of situations,” Dearden, 17, said.
“They (Ignatius Park) are a pretty tough side. They are not overly big or anything like that, they just hang in there and won’t give up.
“We don’t have the biggest forward pack so we try to play a pretty fast and up-tempo game and move the ball around. I think we will have a similar game plan against Iggy too.”
PBC have the chance to repeat archrival Keebra Park’s efforts in charging to the 2017 national title but Dearden says they will first have to tighten up their defence if they are to progress any further.
The Queensland under-18 representative gained some invaluable experience earlier this month, making his senior A-grade debut for Currumbin Eagles in the halves alongside veteran playmaker Phil Ramage.
“It was pretty physical. You get belted around a fair bit,” Dearden said.
Marsden will take on Kirwan State High in the other semi-final.