The final of the Victorian arm of the GIO Schoolboys Trophy took place on Wednesday May 23 at Cross Keys Oval in Essendon, where Hallam Senior College took on the Victorian University Secondary College.
In cool conditions in the Victorian capital, Hallam started the match strongly and opening the scoring when Joseph Watene-Lauina ran 40 meters to score the opening try of the match. Hallam made it two in a row when Francis Tualau crossed after some good lead-up work by Pride Petterson-Robati.
Victoria University hit back with a try to prop Henry Sang-Yum to make it 12 -4 close to the break, but a runaway try to Hallam right on half time gave the College a convincing 18 – 4 lead.
Despite a tight and physical arm wrestle between the two teams in the second half, Victoria University wasn’t able to convert their opportunities into points, something that Hallam made them pay on as they ran out eventual 50 – 8 winners.
Hallam Senior College 50 (Pride Petterson-Robati 3, Romia Matangaro 2, Francis Tualau 1, Joseph Watene-Lauina 1, Brandon Manase 1, Dillan Brittain 1 try. Petterson-Robati 5 goals, Kemu Valetini 2 goals) def Vic Uni Secondary College 8 (Henry Sang-Yum, Beau Collier tries).