Photo: ARU Media

The Australian Schools Championships kicked off at Riverview in Sydney today, with all eight sides playing their opening match in cool conditions.

NSW II 40-0 WA

NSW II opened their campaign with a dominant 40-0 victory over Western Australia early on day one.

In a scrappy opening half, both sides looked to attack but it was NSW who were to convert with tries to Jayden Burgess, Harry Wilson and Ed Pullman.

Prop Finn Wright extended the home sides lead when he pounced on a WA mistake close to the line, before outside backs Tom Yasmin and Harry Bell secured the result with two well worked tries from the NSW backs.

ACT 20-18 QLD I

ACT caused the first major upset of the tournament, kicking a late penalty goal to claim a two point win over QLD I and open their campaign with a morale boosting victory.

The young Brumbies had all the momentum early and opened the scoring through fullback Brendan Jimenez.

QLD hit back thanks to some magic footwork from winger Jangala Bennett and took a 12-7 lead to the half time break following a try to centre Jordan Petaia.

ACT No.8 Will Holland regathered a Seamus Smith grubber to score and take back the lead before the two sides exchanged penalty goals, leaving QLD I ahead 18-17 late in the match.

With seconds remaining, ACT flyhalf Will Goddard kicked his second penalty goal of the afternoon and capped a brilliant individual performance in the two point victory.

It was ACT’s first win over QLD I since 2002.

NSW I 38-8 Victoria 

NSW I have started their campaign in style with a 38-8 win over Victoria.

Winger Albert Hopoate opened the scoring for the home side, but Victoria quickly hit back and took the lead following a try to Harry Ma’o and a penalty goal to Angus Edwards.

NSW hit back through Jeremy Williams and crossed again on the stroke of half time to take a 17-8 lead to the break.

Hopoate found space again early in the second half and set up Will Lloyd for NSW’s fourth try, before fullback Tom Woodcock scored to put the result beyond doubt.

Hopoate then finished off an impressive team try right on full time as NSW secured a 38-8 win.

Combined States 28-20 QLD II

Combined States have added to Queensland’s misery on the opening day of the Australian Schools Championships, holding on to claim a 28-22 victory over QLD II on Monday afternoon.

Made up of players from NSW and QLD that weren’t selected in their respective State sides, Combined States began brilliantly, scoring two entertaining tries through Stirling Doyle and Jack Walsh to claim a 14-0 lead.

QLD finally gained possession midway through the first half and on the back of a dominant scrum, halfback Josh Vetu set up winger Viliami Vea for his first try of the afternoon.

Shortly after, hooker Rhys Van Nek scored from a short lineout move to reduce the deficit to just four points at the break.

Combined States moved further ahead midway through the second half when Harry Turned dived over in the corner, but QLD hit straight back as Vea crossed for his second.

Looking to attack, QLD forced a pass in their own half, allowing Combined States centre Triston Reilly to pounce on a loose ball and seal the win for his side.