Westfields take out 2023 National Schoolboys Cup

Westfields Sports High School have taken out the 2023 NRL National Schoolboys Cup final after defeating Palm Beach Currumbin State High 38-4 at Allianz Stadium.

Claiming their first National title since 2016, Westfields continued their undefeated 2023 campaign on Wednesday, with player-of-the-match Lachlan Galvin laying on two early tries and having a hand in several more in what was a day out for the promising five-eighth.

After the first five minutes saw both sides trade sets and misfire early opportunities, Westfields opened their account in the seventh minute when Galvin fronted up to several Palm Beach defenders and darted over in the left hand corner to score. 

Galvin made it a double just three minutes later, scooting from dummy-half before taking the ball in field and reaching over to score next to the uprights. 

Palm Beach had their crowd on their feet when winger Creedence Donovan punted a kick and chase down the left edge but the ball was grounded by Westfields and the Queenslanders again had their backs to the wall. 

The Sydneysiders had all the momentum and charged the ball downfield in the next set before halfback Dion Williams capitalised off another quick play the ball in close range, diving over on the right edge to extend the lead 20-0.

As the half time buzzer rang Westfield ignited a sweeping left side raid and quick hands from Galvin sent second-rower Sosefo Finau over for Sydney's fifth try of the first half, handing his side a 26-0 lead at the break. 

Four minutes into the second half Palm Beach opened their account, capitalising on a Westfield error with a quick play off the scrum to set up Donovan in the corner and reduce the deficit 26-4.

But Westfields all but put the game to bed in the 18th minute when Galvin turned provider again with ten minutes to play, taking the ball wide out of the ruck and the before finding Saint Fuatimau on the right to score.

When Westfield forward Markuzz Ofanoa got in on the action, stretching the lead 34-4 things went from bard to worst for Palm Beach when skipper Zane Harrison was sin binned late in the match. 

Westfield put the finishing touches on their fairytale National Schoolboys final when Galvin and Daniel Waqa combined to send over Fuatimau for a double.

Galvin said post-match that a Schoolboys Cup title is something his side has been working towards since Year 7 and is a day that he 'will remember for a long time'.

"We're a real brotherhood here and we've been waiting for this opportunity since Year 7," Galvin told NRL.com.

"To come together and do it as a team it's really exciting and for a lot of us boys it's our last year here so it's a really good feeling.

"I knew at the start of the year this side had something and we really bonded and have come together the last few months.

"I think I'll remember this day for a long time."