Kiama High’s Arrive Alive chance

Kiama High School will be out to emulate their famous school-mates from 2002 on Friday night when they take on Chiffley College from Penrith in the quarter-finals of the nation-wide Arrive Alive Cup school’s rugby league competition.

The 2002 side boasted names like Brisbane Broncos forward Ashton Sims and former Australian schoolboys player Steve Ross, with the side eventually going down to competition runners-up Terra Sancta in the semi-final.

Boosted by a side oozing with class, the 2009 Kiama High team has an effortless lead-up to the quarters last Tuesday when they thumped St Paul’s from Manly 40-10 at Cec Glenholmes Oval at Warilla.

The Kiama side came out on fire, with centre Jacob Morrison scoring in the opening minute, followed by half-back Mark Asquith and by half-time they had the match well and truly in their keeping at 34-0.

The Kiama forwards, led by Adam Thompson and Tim Moore, terrorised the less mobile St Paul’s pack, with the class of halves Asquith and Rixon Russell making sure the outside backs got plenty of ball, including flying winger Mitch Henderson, who crossed for two classy tries.

Fullback Simon Maslanka also kept the defence busy as well as landing six goals from seven attempts on the day.

Despite their first half heroics, the side struggled in the second half, conceding a steady flow of penalties, which allowed the St Paul’s side to gain some respectability.

Kiama coach Peter Quine said the side was excited about the challenge.

“It will be a televised game, which is something special for the boys and playing on one of the National Rugby League’s top grounds will also be a feature,” Mr Quine said.

“We have a very good side with lots of depth – the biggest problem for me is who to start with and who to use off the bench.

“We will have Steelers representative Blair Overton back from injury this week, which further strengthens the side,” Mr Quine said.

The game will be played at WIN Jubilee Stadium at Kogarah and will be a lead-up game to the St George Illawarra v Sydney Roosters NRL game. It will commence at 3.45pm.