The Waratahs U19’s make a powerful statement with an impressive first round, setting the stage for a promising series ahead.
The weather cleared for the second game of the day at Leichhardt Oval as the Waratahs U19s took to the field, eager to continue the dominance displayed by the U16s earlier in the day. Right from the outset, it was clear they intended to make their mark. Just five minutes in, a well-executed quick play saw Oscar Jorgensen slice through the Melbourne Rebels defence, leaving his marker flat-footed before delivering a pinpoint pass to Tom Klem. Klem surged over the line, finishing off the try with precision and securing the opening points of the match.
The Waratahs’ confidence was palpable as Sid Harvey stepped up for the conversion. With an effortless strike, he added the extra two points, establishing what would become a consistent theme of near-flawless kicking performance.
The Waratahs made an error at the ruck, handing the Rebels a penalty, which they capitalised on to put three points on the board. However, the Waratahs were quick to regroup and respond. With blistering line speed, the ball was rapidly worked out to the wing, where Sid Harvey showcased his vision and skill with an impressive no-look pass. The ball found Tom Klem in stride, who finished the move and secured the Waratahs' second try.
The half continued with the Waratahs maintaining a strong hold on the game. Oscar Jorgensen delivered a quick pass to Sid Harvey, who found himself in plenty of space before racing over the line to score. Harvey then confidently stepped up and converted his own try, further extending the Waratahs' lead.
The next try came from Brendan Palmer who produced a moment of individual brilliance, beating three defenders as he ran diagonally toward the try line.
After the halftime siren, the Melbourne Rebels hit back with a masterfully orchestrated maul, followed by a cross-field kick to Journey Loane, who secured their first try. This late effort brought the score to 40-8 at the break, giving the Rebels some confidence leading into the second half.
The Waratahs wasted no time in the second half, with Brendan Palmer quickly adding two more tries to complete his hat-trick. Shortly after, Charlie O'Kane powered over for the third within 10 minutes, further widening the scoreline and putting the game well out of the Rebels' reach.
However, refusing to give up, the Rebels put points on the board when Edward Lyons crossed the line for a try, which was followed by a successful conversion. This effort showcased their determination to fight back despite the growing deficit.
The half continued with a flurry of tries from the Waratahs, complemented by one more effort from the Rebels. Ultimately, the match concluded with a final score of 80-20 in favour of the Waratahs, reflecting their dominance throughout the contest despite the hard-fought nature of the matchup.
Try Scorers:
Tom Klem x2
Brendan Palmer x3
Liam Grover x3
Charlie O’Kane x2
Jack Cesare
Lachlan Doheny
Conversions:
Sid Harvey 10/12
