Arrive Alive Cup Final Match Report

KEEBRA Park State High has suffered a heart-breaking end to its Arrive Alive Cup campaign, losing the national schoolboys rugby league final 16-7 to Endeavour Sports High.

Two tries in the final eight minutes to Endeavour saw the southern Sydney school collect back-to-back crowns after Keebra Park had previously led 7-6.

At halftime at Aussie Stadium the two talent-laden sides were level 6-all.

Five-eighth Robert Lui then kicked a field goal for Keebra Park early in the second half, having scored his team?s sole try in the opening stanza.

With less than 20 minutes to hold the lead, the Gold Coasters pulled out all stops in defence.

Endeavour went mightily close on one occasion, but was held up across the line on the final tackle.

Unfortunately the show of strength by Keebra evaporated to nothing as they then surrendered the ball coming off their line.

Endeavour converted the opportunity, but missed the conversion attempt to make it a tantalising 10-7 score with time running out.

So reliable throughout Keebra?s campaign, fullback Matt Parata then kicked the ball dead on the full, handing over possession again in prime territory.

Endeavour made no mistake in closing out the game, scoring a third try and following up on their 20-10 win over Keebra Park in the 2005 national final.

"If not for a few errors Keebra would have been right in there for the title," said Queensland Arrive Alive Cup co-ordinator Phil Hall.

Keebra had won great respect in qualifying for the national final, beating tough opposition in Palm Beach Currumbin, St Brendan's Yeppoon and St Dominic's Penrith.

ARRIVE ALIVE CUP
National Final: Keebra Park SHS v Endeavour Sports High,
Aussie Stadium, Sydney, Friday September 22, 4.10pm

Full time:
ENDEAVOUR SPORTS HIGH 16 (Anthony Cherrington 2, Ryan Carr tries; Chase Stanley 2 goals)
defeated
KEEBRA PARK STATE HIGH 7 (Robert Lui try; Matt Parata goal; Robert Lui field goal).