After reaching the Alive Arrive Cup National Final for the previous two years, it seemed a little disappointing that the Opens departed this years competition in the South Queensland final stage, but on reflection it was in many ways a positive season with much for the coaching staff to be pleased about.

For example the four selections in the Queensland side (Robert Lui, LeoVaiga, Kenny Edwards and Bodie Clarke) and the subsequent selection of Kenny Edwards in the Australian Open Schoolboy side are indications that the Sports Specialisation Program is on track and delivering on its mission statement of preparing today’s elite schoolboys for a future in the NRL.

Finishing the regular season as Alan Langer Trophy champions and first seed for the Arrive Alive Cup was the best possible start for the boys and in their first knockout game, faced Cavendish Road from Brisbane who although fought hard, were no match for Keebra who ran away with the game 28-6. The South East Queensland semi final saw the boys up against Redcliffe at Runaway Bay where they were again able to use their superior match fitness to clinch the game 26-14.
This victory propelled Keebra through to the South Queensland final where they were once again matched with the old enemy, PBC, a game that was sure to be hard and tough and indeed lived up to all the expectations.

Down a couple of forwards (Leo and Vaha), Keebra knew that they would suffer in the “go forward” department and despite this managed to pin PBC in their own half with waves of attack that should have produced more than the 6 points that they did. The half time siren went with the scores at 6-4 to Keebra, when 20-4 would have been a more realistic reflection of the possession and field position.
The second half saw the boys protecting this lead and it proved too slender a lead to hang on to and PBC were able to peg back the score and eventually run out 14-6 winners. While the loss was obviously disappointing it was also a good wake up to the boys of what is required to win these finals games in the business end of the season.