Mater Dei Catholic College started their Hardy Shield campaign on the best note, taking down premiers Wagga High School on Tuesday.
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Mater Dei were never behind in the clash as captain Corey Toole led the way.
He set up the opening try for Connor Quade and scored two himself on the way to a 24-16 victory at Parramore Park.
He was pleased to come away with the win.
“We went in not really knowing what to expect, but it was good to get the win,” Toole said.
He thought strong work up front from Bryce Magnone and Nathanael Mooney helped create plenty of space for the back line.
After Quade’s try Wagga High quickly hit back through Jayden Brown.
However some individual brilliance from Toole, who sidestepped his way to a 60-metre try, saw Mater Dei get back in front.
Robert Kopeti crashed over to see Wagga High trail 12-10 right on half-time.
However it was all Mater Dei to start the second half as Toole crossed for his second before Mooney and Theodore Heinjus worked their way over as well.
Kopeti barged over for his second but it was too late for a Wagga High comeback.
Earlier in the day Mount Austin High School claimed their first Hardy Shield win in two years after a 30-16 win over Kooringal High.
Mt Austin looked the better of the two teams and took a 12-4 lead into the break, but soon found themselves behind in the second half.
Tries to Nick Jones and Jack Bryce handed Kooringal a 16-12 lead before Maleke Morris stood tall.
He put on a beautiful flick pass for Brendan Saltner to score his second try before crossing twice himself to seal the win.
Coach Nick Skinner was pleased with how the team responded after getting behind in the second half.
“They came out strong and just with the heat they probably made a few too many errors, but once they started to hold the ball in the second half it showed the ability of some of the boys,” Skinner said.
Mt Austin will be looking to keep their run going when the tackle The Riverina Anglican College on Thursday while Mater Dei plays Kildare Catholic College.
FULL-TIME
MATER DEI CATHOLIC COLLEGE 24 (C Toole 2, C Quade, N Mooney, T Heinjus tries; N Mooney, C Toole goals) d WAGGA HIGH SCHOOL 16 (R Kopeti 2, J Brown tries; B Weeden, B Cronin goals)
MOUNT AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL 30 (M Morris 2, B Saltner 2, C Davis tries; L Siegwalt 5 goals) d KOORINGAL HIGH SCHOOL 16 (G Kendall, N Jones, J Bryce tries; G Collins 2 goals)
