Dubbo College will face their toughest test of the University Shield competition so far when they meet Westfield Sports High at Apex Oval tomorrow.
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After an impressive 28-4 victory over Yass High in Yass, Dubbo College joins Farrer Agricultural High, Coonabarabran High and Bomaderry High as the four Comprehensive High School representatives left in the competition.
They will now be joined by Endeavour Sports High, Matraville Sports High and Westfield Sports High in the cross over finals.
Westfield has won the University Shield more times than any other school in the competition's history and are still smarting from their 34-22 defeat at the hands of Farrer Agricultural High in the Arrive Alive Cup.
In this match they were forced to play without Australian Schoolboys five-eighth Kris Keating and three New Zealand Schoolboys who took part in the Schoolboys test match between the two countries won convincingly 40-8 by New Zealand.
Since then Westfield has torn apart Hunter Sports High School 58-6 and Tuggerah Lakes College 66-4 in successive matches.
Dubbo coach Craig May knows his side will face a tough ask against a school renowned for its ability to produce top sporting teams but he said he was expecting a good performance from his boys.
"If they can produce their best performance and minimise mistakes they have the team capable of really pushing Westfield," he said.
He said the backline of fullback Kurt Beahan and wingers Luke Dawson and Reece Mastellotto will need to be on their games.
Centres Anthony Toomey and Jeremy Smith will need to be strong defensively and look to create space out wide while halves Mitch Dunn and Wes Middleton will have to control play so that Dubbo can play the game at their pace.
Without question if Dubbo College is to match it with Westfield the forwards will need to lift to another level.
Defence will need to wrap up the ball and put Westfields big men on the ground.
The go forward of Matt Harris, Andrew Madden, Gavin Powell and John Grey will be a big key to Dubbo's performance.
Brothers Blake and Brock Dunn will also be looking to continue their strong form for the year.
With a number of the Dubbo College team having aspirations to play at higher levels this is the perfect opportunity for them to show their talents.
Westfield had no less than 12 representatives in the Sydney South West representative school team with Kris Keating named as player of the NSW CHS championships.
Fullback Fred Khousis will be one to watch and is fresh from a strong performances with the NSW CHS team.
Second rower Jordan Tuaa has also been a standout and this year and represented the NSW under-17s team.
Westfield also have 11 members of the team already tied to NRL clubs for next year and every member of the squad is currently playing either SG Ball or Jersey Flegg representative football for numerous junior Sydney clubs.
Dubbo College: 1 Kurt Beahan, 2 Reece Mastellotto, 3 Jeremy Smith, 4 Anthony Toomey, 5 Luke Dawson, 6 Mitch Dunn, 7 Wes Middleton, 8 Gavin Powell, 9 Brock Dunn, 10 Andrew Madden, 11 Mitch Griffiths, 12 John Grey, 13 Blake Dunn (c).
Reserves: 14 Matt Harris, 15 Ben Josephs, 16 Kade Goodwin, 17 Scott Hukins, 18 Joel Turley, 19 Neil Madden, 20 Brad Marks.
Westfield Sports High School: 1 Fred Kbouiss, 2 KJ McKenzie, 3 Karl McNicholl, 4 Hermani Moala, 5 Alex Savaiinea, 6 Kris Keating (c), 7 Trent Hodkinson, 8 Jesse O'Neil, 9 Tyrone Shelly, 10 Nathan McKay, 11 Tony Williams, 12 Jordan Tuaa, 13 Fareni Moefaauo.
Reserves: 14 Patrick Matele, 15 Vanleni Tiatia, 16 Rodney Maa, 17 Daniel Folkes, 18 James Brown, 19 Mitchell Baker, 20 Todd Carney.