Melville High has advanced to the final four of the Buckley Shield for the second straight year after earning a nail-biting 22-18 defeat over Chifley College Bidwill on Tuesday afternoon.
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Melville High School teacher and Rugby league coordinator David Jacobs claims the boys were outmatched physically but their desire led them to victory.
"The Chifley boys were big and strong but our guys beat them with aggression and heart," Jacobs told the Argus.
"They put everything into the match and were out on their feet afterwards. Myself, coach Beau Russell-Docherty and Melville High principal Victoria Staunton were very proud of their efforts."
Melville were within a whisker of being sent packing from the tournament as a Chifley player reached out to score a match winning try with 25 seconds left on the clock.
However, the Chifley player lost control of the ball as he was trying to place the ball for a try. The knock on occurred next to the goal posts.
Jacobs believes Melville deserved the victory, as they defended their hearts out with 12-men for the final eight minutes after Callan Parker was sin binned for an accidental high tackle.
The highlight of the match came from the brilliance of Melville fullback Mekhi Kelly.
The 13-year-old swooped around the back of an attacking play and fired a ball, which cut out two Melville attackers, before it landed in the hands of winger Quenten Close who dove over to score.
Match officials deemed Melville's Dean Jones, who plays in the back row, as the player of the match while Will Haigh, who is a very mobile and light footed prop, was presented with one point from the officials.
Dennis Quinlan posed a constant threat for the Chifley defence as his midfield bombs will give the Chifley wingers and fullbacks nightmares. Two of his kicks directly led to Melville tries.
Jacobs commended Robert Inglis, who switched from centre to hooker and made numerous valuable late runs to get Melville out of trouble, Clancy Dixon, who lined up at lock and was tireless in attack and defence throughout the game and Thomas Paix, who worked hard all game before being forced from the field in the final minute with a chest injury.
Melville High will now take on Bass High School for a spot in the state decider. The two schools will work together to decide on a date for the fixture.
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