As Kildare Catholic College eyes another undefeated season in the Hardy Shield, Wagga High is looking to end a long run of outs in the schoolboys rugby league competition.
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The two rivals will face off at Parramore Park on Tuesday and Wagga High is looking to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2008.
Captain Matt Fellows is confident they can turn the tables, end the drought and come home with the shield.
“We’ve definitely got a good shot, a good team and we’ve improved since the first game against Kildare," Fellows said.
“We’ve definitely got the team to do it as this year has a strong year 12 base.”
Wagga High failed to make the final last year, but Fellows believe a more concerted effort on the training paddock has led to more success.
Standing in their way is the two-time defending champions who also scored a 28-22 win when the two teams faced off in the pool stage.
In an ominous sign, co-captain Sam Heffernan believes Kildare has improved throughout the competition after a large player turnover from last season.
“From where we started to now the side has come a very long way,” Heffernan said.
“When we first started we were pretty rough, didn’t know where we were going or what we were doing, but have a bit of direction now.”
The final will be held at 7pm but the big evening of action kicks off at 4.30pm with the Preston Butcher Cup final between Kildare and Mater Dei Catholic College.
Kooringal High School and Mater Dei Catholic College will line play off for third place at 5:30pm.
Hardy Shield final teams
KILDARE CATHOLIC COLLEGE v WAGGA HIGH SCHOOL
Parramore Park, 7pm
Kildare: 1 Sam Macklan, 2 Tom Anderson, 3 Austin Hay (C), 4 Austin McDougall, 5 Jared Cochrane, 6 Jake Mascini, 7 Liam Fitzsimmons, 8 Jack Shubert, 9 Ned Sainsbury 10 Tomasi Baravilala, 11 Sam Heffernan (C) 12 Kieran Stevens 13 Liam Moon 14 Henry West,15 Josh Emerson 16 Sean Timothy 17 Jack Hartnet 18 Rhyce Waters 19 Lachlan Giddings, 20 Tom Heffer 21 Matt Knagge.
Wagga High: 1 Steve Senior, 2 Jacob Ocieng, 3 Ryan Cronin, 4 Cooper MacDonald, 5 Ben Weeden, 6 Jack Flood, 7 Lewis Reid, 8 Lachlan Jolliffe, 9 Luke Herman, 10 Bowie Foster, 11 Rhys Jolliffe, 12 Matt Fellows (C), 13 Mitchell Cawley, 14 Rhys Stanton, 15 Benson Ochieng, 16 Sean Keith, 17 Tyson Williams, 18 Henry Standley.
