Keebra Park High School is celebrating its first National Schoolboys Cup since 2017 after fullback David Bryenton steered the side to a gripping victory in Thursday’s final.
The visitors ran in four tries to two to hold off a fast-finishing Patrician Brothers Blacktown and secure a 20-12 win at Leichhardt Oval.
Patrician Brothers were buoyed by a vocal supporter base, but Keebra Park’s outstanding backs silenced the crowd early and they didn't look back. The visitors kept their noses in front throughout the remainder of the contest.
David Bryenton opens them up
The NSW champions battled valiantly, but their comeback effort finished short and they suffered a second-straight defeat in the National Schoolboys Cup final.
Keebra Park coach Peter Norman was thrilled with the composure his side showed late and said Thursday’s win was six years in the making.
“We’ve had a large chunk of this group since year seven,” Norman told ljmpta.com. “To see their growth over the last six years to where they are now is incredible. A lot of them are actually in year 11, so it’s five years of growth.
“We’ve had some tough lessons where we’ve lost games like this and semi-finals but their work ethic and attitude got them this result. Words can’t describe how proud I am.”
Bryenton was superb throughout the contest, claiming both the player of the match award and the Peter Sterling Medal for schoolboy player of the year.
In doing so, he joined the likes of Ben Te’o, Payne Haas and David Fifita as Keebra Park students to win the medal.
The Year 12 student only joined the school three years ago when he relocated from East Auckland to Australia to pursue his rugby league ambitions.
Bryenton is contracted to the Bulldogs and will move to Sydney at the end of the year to take the next step in his NRL dream.
David Bryenton Try
On Thursday, however, his only focus was on leading Keebra Park to a breakthrough National Schoolboys Cup title in the competition’s 50th year.
“I wanted to come over to Australia for an opportunity,” Bryenton said. “I was having a laugh with the boys back home and I messaged the Keebra Park Instagram page seeing if they could get me over. They accepted it and I’m so happy I’m here now.
“I moved over from New Zealand when I was 15, now it’s my third year, my last year here and it’s a surreal feeling to be leaving Keebra Park with a national title.
“I can’t wait to start a new journey with the Bulldogs next year. It will be a new environment, I’m a bit nervous but excited for it.”
