GREAT EFFORT: James Sheahan Catholic High School's under 14s rugby union side finished second in the Coast To Country Cup. Pictured are (back) Angus Wickham, Bailey Harvey, Luke Alexander, Ricky Eggins, (middle) Aaron Kilkeary, Chris Moran, Tom West, Sydney Chimvinga, Curtis Cantwell, Nick Fisher, Phil Pennisi, Darcy Holmes, (front) Lachlan Stewart and Mitch Winslade. Absent: Moung Dut, John Bastick, Hamish Cranney, Will Cranney, Josh Fahy and Dan Connors. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0830sgsheahan
JAMES Sheahan Catholic High School has smashed expectations at the Coast To Country Cup this weekend.
The under 14s rugby union side finished second in the country schools competition in Forster on Tuesday.
Coach Nathan Short said he was thrilled with his team’s result.
“I’m stoked,” Short smiled.
“I went up there thinking if we finished mid-field, it would be great. To finish second was outstanding.”
The Coast To Country Cup is a rugby union competition open to all non-metropolitan schools.
Teams compete at gala days around NSW with the winners progressing to this week’s state final at Forster.
James Sheahan took out the Dubbo gala day and proved to be up to the challenge in Forster.
The Orange side downed Ballina’s Xavier College 10-7 in their first game but it had Short feeling nervous.
“That was a bit of a thriller,” Short explained.
“They (Xavier) had the ball for the last few minutes and were held up over the line.”
James Sheahan had a 10-nil win in their second match against Kariong which allowed them to finish on top of their pool.
In the semi-final, James Sheahan had a 5-all draw with Newcastle High but because the Orange side scored first, they progressed to the final.
Fatigue played a part in the final against Lismore’s St Johns’ College Woodlawn and James Sheahan lost 22-nil.
Short said part of his team’s success came to their time together.
“We went up on Sunday and had plenty of team bonding,” he said.
“We went to the beach, played tough footy. On Monday we did some training and ran some sand hills. They’re all good mates as well.”
John Bastick, Moung Dut, Lachlan Stewart and Hamish and Will Cranney all had an outstanding tournament for James Sheahan.
Short said it was a great way for the side to finish their season.
