The QSST team, after re-claiming the National title.

Photo: Dale Watson

Queensland Secondary Schools Touch (QSST) has survived a late second half comeback from New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) to win the 18's Boys division at the 2010 X-Blades National Youth Championships at Stockland Park.

QSST led comfortably at the half-time break, but a spirited second half performance from NSWCCC saw them get within one touchdown of the Queensland side before last year's runners up secured the win with minutes remaining.

NSWCCC was dominant early with flair in attack and strong defence, but it was QSST that made it count on the scoreboard, with Luke Swan scoring off the back of a great attacking set from the Queensland side.

Swan was impressive again soon after, taking an intercept in New South Wales' next attacking set, and setting up William Briston to give QSST a 2-0 lead with seven minutes gone in the first half.

Some fancy footwork by NSWCCC's Luke Tonegato resulted in his side's first touchdown, but QSST hit back in the next minute when Kade Bonner strolled over the line to take a 3-1 lead.

Three minutes later QSST's Matthew Goodrope dived over for his side's fourth touchdown, but in the 13th minute CCC brought the score back to two touchdowns when Alex Langbridge scored after being the recipient of an impressive long ball.

Two quick touchdowns in the next two minutes to Swan and Lachlan Pierce gave QSST a handy four touchdown lead and they went into the half-time break leading 6-2.

Both teams upped the ante early in the second half, with both close to scoring in their respective opening sets of six.

CCC brought the margin back to three touchdowns in the third minute, with Jake Dooley scoring in the corner following some great lead up work by his teammates. But one minute later QSST's Mathew Couper scored his first touchdown of the game off the back of a great long ball off the next set of six, to extend their lead back to four touchdowns.

CCC captain, Daniel Chiddy, lead by example in the sixth minute when he set up a touchdown for Cade Price to bring the gap back to three touchdowns.

Desperate defence by NSWCCC saw them stop several attempts by QSST in the following ten minutes, keeping them in the game. Their hard work in defence paid off in the 16th minute when Ben Dossetor put the side within two touchdowns, while two minutes later Josh Rozario's solo effort put CCC back within one touchdown with two minutes remaining.

QSST's Cohan Guerra crushed NSWCCC's chances of taking out back-to-back titles soon after, diving over to score a touchdown with less than two minutes to go.

QSST held on and regained the title that they last won in 2008. QSST was rewarded for its impressive tournament, with Adam Pryde being named Player of the Final while Mitchell Broom was named Player of the Series.

Article courtesy of Touch Football Australia