Sport
10 March, 2023
Runner-up placing as Snakes 16s have a ball at Charleville
The Caboolture Snakes U16s had a great time on and off the field as they took part in the Adrian Vowles Cup at Charleville on February 24 and 25.
Although the Snakes fell just short of winning the U16 division after conceding a try in extra time in the final, they were in good spirits as there was plenty of enjoyment and virtually no disappointment.
Caboolture was one of 19 teams in the U16 division, and among more than 40 teams across Queensland to compete at the carnival which also involved U14 boys and U17 girls divisions.
Seventeen Snakes players undertook the 1600km round trip, supported by four coaching staff and eight parents travelling in convoy.
Caboolture won all five of its round-robin matches, starting with a 12-8 win over South Burnett before beating Collegians 8-0, Red Bulls 20-4, Stanley River 16-0 and Fassifern White 8-4.
The Snakes played twice on the first day and four times on the second day.
It was unusual for Moreton rivals Caboolture and Stanley River to trek all the way to Charleville to face off!
The Cup decider was a nail-biter, with the score level at 12- all at full-time before Central West scored the winning try in extra time.
Caboolture’s coaches Mateus Chankay and Aaron Morris were full of praise for the way the Snakes conducted themselves throughout the carnival, both on and off the field.
Mateus reported the objective was for team bonding and that this was achieved from the minute they arrived.
Mateus said the Snakes played backyard style football, and that their determination and mateship took them to the Cup final, rather than structure or individual talent.
The boys only thought about football during warm-ups and game time, while the rest of the time was spent enjoying each other’s company, building friendships and having fun. Mateus said doing so helped create a strong team culture, which was evident after the Cup final loss when the players picked each other up, formed a huddle and stood proud to be in the position and playing for their club and their hometown.
Sebastian Booth was named best forward of the carnival, and Caboolture’s best-and-fairest player as well as Caboolture’s player of the final. Queensland State of Origin and Brisbane Broncos player Kurt Capewell presented Sebastian his award for Caboolture’s player of the final.
Sebastian also shared the coach’s best hit-up award with Ashyr Kelso, and Eric Walit was Caboolture’s top try scorer along with Jack Scholtes.
Sebastian and Eric were also named in the ‘dream team’, with players from all clubs in contention at the completion of the carnival.
The Snakes squad comprised Alex Ardley- Tindall, Izach Beer, Shannon Bishop, Sebastian Booth, Chris Brady, Jackson Clyne, Jaylen Cowburn, Cameron Donovan, Kurt French, Ashyr Kelso, Hudson Lock, Benjamin Richards, Tristram Sariman, Jack Scholtes, Blayde Simmons, Daniel Stanley, Eric Walit.
