This week we prepare our Athletics Team for the coming APS Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 9 August, beginning with a track meet with PBC on Wednesday after school. Meantime, Somerset Spartans secured the 1st XV APS Premiership in an epic battle at Bond University.

1st XV Grand Final - Somerset College v All Saints Anglican School

On Friday 9 June Somerset College 1st XV played All Saints Anglican School in the Grand Final of the APS competition at Bond University. In a highly anticipated game, Somerset 1st XV began with exceptional organisation and control of the ball, creating some fantastic opportunities, scoring the first two tries of the game leading 10 to 0. All Saints were next to cross the try line, making the score 10 to 7 to Somerset heading into half-time. After the break All Saints scored two more unanswered tries, converting one of them to take the lead 19 to 10 for the majority of the second half.

With four minutes left on the clock, Somerset College put All Saints under a substantial amount of pressure, holding the ball for multiple phases in their attacking half. A try from Mitch Anderson and a quick thinking conversion from Josh Vuta took the score to 19 to 17 with one minute to play. With 30 seconds remaining on the clock, All Saints kicked the ball deep into the Somerset College half and over the dead ball line. This meant a scrum on the half way line would be the final play of the game and give the Somerset 1st XV one final opportunity to win. After some patient attacking phases and continued pressure, Taylor Davies carried strongly, assisted by Tim Evans, to score next to the posts to take the lead and win the game. A fantastic way to finish a season with all 26 players in the squad showing a strong level of commitment to each other and the group while focusing on continual improvement to a team first approach.

All players in the 1st XV squad played a significant role in the 2017 season and putting this squad in a position to contest the finals day. A special mention to the graduating year 12 students in the 1st XV; your dedication and commitment to the Spartan rugby program during your time at the College has been significant and is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank Grant Anderson and Pula Kolokihakaufisi for sharing their expertise with the 1st XV squad and helping to develop them into better rugby players and young men. Grant and Pula are exceptional role models for our young student-athletes at Somerset College and we have been very fortunate to have them on board as part of our coaching team in 2017. Thank you to Peter Singh who took on the role as 1st XV Team Manager this year and did a fantastic job in assisting the coaches and players with organisation and off-field duties in 2017.

Queensland Rugby Schoolboy Trials

During the recent school holidays Charles Pye, Josh Vuta and E’Shea Gafa were selected to compete in the Queensland U18 School boy rugby trials at Ballymore, as part of the Combined Secondary Schools (CSS) side. These trials provide an opportunity for players to compete against the best U18 rugby players in the state as well as pushing for selection in the two Queensland teams who play at the National U18 Championships in Sydney. Charles, Josh and E’Shea displayed some strong performances during the carnival and were valued members of the CSS side. Josh was selected for the Queensland II side, who made the final of the National Championship, finishing second to ACT 33-10. In 2016 Josh was selected for the Australian Schools side and has again been rewarded with selection in the 2017 side after some exceptional performances in the National Championships. We wish him the best of luck in his Test matches in September against New Zealand and Fiji.

Arimasa Uchida- Snow Skiing

Competing during the holidays at the Queensland and Northern NSW Interschools Snow Sports Championships at Perisher Valley, Arimasa received four medals for individual and two medals for the team.

Pymble Cup Snowboard Giant Slalom Awarded Bronze

Interschools Snowboard Giant Slalom Awarded Bronze Interschools Moguls Individual Awarded Gold & Team Award Gold Interschools Skier Cross Individual Awarded Silver & Team Award Gold

Tim Hornsey & Will Powell- South Coast Hockey

Tim and Will played at the Under13 State Hockey Championships over the holidays. The Gold Coast Team only lost one game all tournament and finished up winning the final against Brisbane in a penalty shootout. The Boys are now the State Champions. Tim has been selected in the Queensland Team.

Will Lynch & Jake Sherrington-Rugby

During the school holidays Will and Jake represented the Gold Coast in the Gold Coast Cyclones Rugby team at the Queensland Rugby State Championship in Brisbane. The Gold Coast Cyclones team made it to the Grand Final and came runner up in the whole competition. Will was then chosen to represent the Queensland Country Team as half back. He was lucky enough to play at Ballymore on 7 July.

Summer Sport Selections

All students have been sent a link to select their Summer Sport preference. Choices are: AFL, Basketball, Cricket, Softball, Tennis, Touch, Water Polo. Students wishing to be involved in Sailing must see Mr McLaughlin or Golf, see Mr Wrigley. These students must still select a Summer Sport. Students who are injured long-term, need to see the nurse with a medical.

Athletics Season Practices

Students meet at 7.00am at the Track and practices are daily:

Monday & Wednesday: SS Track, JS Jumps/Throws

Tuesday & Thursday: JS Track, SS Jumps/Throws

Friday: All events

Students of all abilities and experience are welcome and all events are catered for with excellent coaches. Come and join Somerset’s biggest team.

Sport this week:

Athletics Practices: Every day 7.00am at the Track (except Friday)

Friday 21 July: House Athletics: Day 1 (8.30am-3.00pm)

Saturday 22 July: House Athletics: Day 2 (8.00am-4.00pm)

Sport next week:

Athletics Practices: Every day 7.00am at the Track (except Friday)

Wednesday 26 July: Track Meet v PBC 1 (3.30-5.00pm)-60m,150m,300m,600m, 1K

Friday 28 July: Summer Sports Trials 1/2 (1.00-3.15pm)

All sporting details are posted on Schoolbox on the Sports page.

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