Some of the best schoolboy talent from western NSW and western Sydney will be on show at Apex Oval tonight when Dubbo College Senior and South Campus teams take on Sydney South West champions Eagle Vale High in quarter-finals of the University and Buckley shield competitions.
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The Buckley Shield match starts at 5pm and University Shield at 6.15pm.
South Campus will be confronted by a huge size disadvantage.
However this has made little difference in past matches with terrier-like defence from Junior Knight and Lachlan van Dartel top class.
In all matches their forwards have gained the early advantage and controlled the match with their good go forward and stiff defence. This was no more evident than in their match against Riverina champions Leeton High that they won 42-16.
Fullback Tony Pellow is one who lacks size but certainly not courage and he will be keen for a strong match.
The move of Max Cowley to the centre could be a masterstroke from coach Nathan Jones with the extra room to move keenly awaited by Cowley.
Another player who will be looking to continue his strong form will be interchange player Phillip Combridge.
Thirteen-year-old Combridge was one of the best on the field despite coming off the bench and his impact will be important when he enters the match.
The winner of the match will take on Brisbane Water College Umina Campus in an away game.
Sides still left in the competition include: Kyogle High, Singleton High, Warilla High, Bass High, Macksville High and Bega High.
The University Shield has seen great success for the Dubbo College over the years with semi-final appearances in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
This year Dubbo College finished as statewide runners-up.
In previous years some current big name first grade NRL players have made the trip to Dubbo to showcase their talent.
In 2005 Kris Keating (Parramatta), Trent Hodgkinson (Manly) and Tony Williams (Manly) were part of the Westfield Sports High School team that defeated Dubbo College 18-12 in the semi-final at Apex Oval.
In 2006 Ake Uati (Newcastle Knights) was part of a Brisbane Waters Secondary College team defeated 52-24 by Dubbo College in the state quarter-final.
In 2007 Sharks fullback Nathan Stapleton was part of Engadine High defeated by Dubbo College 32-30 in the quarter-finals. While in 2008 Andrew Fifita (West Tigers) was part of a monster Griffith High team defeated 38-30 by Dubbo College.
This year a name to watch out for will be Eagle Vale centre Vai Tautai.
At just 16 years old he has already been selected in the Open NSW CHS team that won the National Rugby League Championships.
He has also been graded by the Parramatta under-20s and has been earmarked as a star of the future by many good judges.
South Campus Buckley Shield: 1 Tony Pellow, 2 Michael Riley, 3 Maxwell Cowley, 4 Kurt Davenport, 5 Harry Van Dartel, 6 Kenneth Knight, 7 Darryl Simpson, 8 Damon Hobson, 9 Jayden Merritt, 10 Darcy Dunn, 11 Kaide Ellis, 12 Ryan Shields, 13 Lachlan van Dartel. Interchange: 14 Phillip Combridge, 15 Thomas Kotzur, 16 Wade Kavanagh, 17 Daine Cox, 18 Cody Bruce, 19 Peter Karydis, 20 David Matheson.
Eagle Vale High: 1 Toa Mata’afa, 2 Tristan Williams, 3 Veiru Mapesone, 4 Little -Bay Maurangi, 5 Clement Sulu, 6 Jack Miller, 7 Jett Karam, 8 Simaika Simaika, 9 Brendan Daniels, 10 Richard Morrell, 11 James Jackson, 12 Alefosio Fuli, 13 Pili Fauvaa. Interchange: 14 Andrew Tuimanu’a, 15 Mateo Faalavaa, 16 Francis Faoagali, 17 Sefa Ausage, 18 Chaun Inosesio, 19 Sammy Giaquinto, 20 Christian Aukastino.
