Endeavour Sports High School has taken out the 2014 GIO Schoolboy Cup after defeating Patrician Brothers College Blacktown 22-12 in front of a strong crowd of over 2,000 students and supporters at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Wednesday.
After a back-and-forth start which saw both teams given early chances, Endeavour were first to capitalise, scoring in the seventh minute through left winger Billy Lennon when a crafty short-side play by captain Luciano Leilua put Lennon in space with only the fullback to beat.
Endeavour then scored arguably the try of the season given the context of the match, when a first-play kick off the scrum by Jamayne Isaako was regathered and offloaded to a flying Curtis Scott. Isaako converted the try from the sideline to hand Endeavour a 12-0 lead.
Patrician Brothers opened their account eight minutes before the break when Tyrone May intercepted a fumbling ball to score a 90-metre special. The extras were added by James Hill, which took the score to 12-6 to Endeavour.
Jamayne Isaako crossed five minutes before the break though through a terrific solo effort, busting through some poor attempted tackles to run the best part of 60 metres. He made it three from three with the boot, giving Endeavour a 12-point buffer at the break.
The teams ran out in the second half with both sets of supporters singing and chanting, and with the Patties Band playing and the Endeavour horns blowing the atmosphere was electric in what was a great spectacle for schoolboy rugby league.
A penalty to Patrician Brothers five minutes into the second half, followed by a 'six again' call, was just enough pressure to crack Endeavour's line when substitute hooker Cameron Collins barged over from close range. Christian Crichton converted the Collins try, which closed the margin back to six points.
The next 20 minutes were a real arm wrestle from both sides especially between the forward packs.
Patrician Brothers built pressure on Endeavour's line a number of times, but poor ball security let them down.
A terrific 50-metre bust from Patrician Brothers front rower Ofa-Ki Samisoni Hala was a huge momentum shifter, but outstanding scrambling defence by Endeavour held out any hopes of a square-up.
It was again Jamayne Isaako who sealed the result, completing his double after standing up his opposing centre with great footwork two minutes before the final siren. Despite missing the conversion attempt, the 10-point lead was enough for the 'Black Shirts' to claim victory.
The GIO Most Trusted Player was Jamayne Isaako, while Patrician Brothers hooker Joseph Tramontana was awarded the GIO Player of the Tournament.
Endeavour SHS 22 (Tries; 2 Isaako, Lennon, Scott, goals; Isaako 3) def. Patrician Brothers 12 (Tries; May, Collins, goals; Hill, Chrichton)
