Iona College close in on AIC First XIII rugby league premiership

Iona College had one and a half hands on the AIC First XIII rugby league premiership, while Villanova and St Patrick’s College impress. Story here.

Iona’s Hopa Leato in a try scoring mood - again. Picture, John Gass

Iona College has one and a half hands on the premiership trophy after defeating arch rivals Padua College at Curlew Park.

The bayside boys defeated Padua 44-12, an emphatic display that highlighted their grip on the title.

ROUND 1 REPORT

ROUND 2 REPORT

ROUND 3 REPORT

Iona were not past the post, with round 6 rivals Villanova sure to plot an ambush in that local derby, while St Patrick’s will be no pushovers given that squad’s improvement.

But Iona were certainly in the box seat as they prepared to confront St Peters, Villa and then St Patrick’s College.

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Iona were so dominant against Padua. After Padua twice went within a finger nail of scoring the opening try, Iona went to work.

Winger Blaze Mohi scored the first two tries of the match, once after Pat Phakanam had thumped his way down the field, and on another occasion when a right shift swept across the field.

Iona’s defence is as impressive as its attack. Picture, John Gass

A 40-20 kick from impressive halfback Levi Hawea then positioned Iona nicely for one of Hopa Leota’s early runs, and the interchange ace did not disappoint with a typical charge to score.

Padua tried to counter, but Iona’s defence was just as impressive as its attack as Lachlan Smith and Connor Quinn locked down the left side, while Matt Doherty and Campbell Rolfe looked after the right.

Iona also got plenty of early momentum through the middle efforts of Phakanam and prop Cooper Benvenuti, while interchange forwards like Hayden Castner and Jack Pascoe maintained the rage.

The impressive Quinn then cracked open the Padua defence, putting fullback Tyler Perira over and with Rolfe kicking goals from everywhere, it was 22-nil.

Connor Quinn, middle, and Campbell Rolfe were both outstanding for Iona. Picture, John Gass

Quinn then scored himself to make it 28-nil before Padua’s Damon Humphrys found the line for his team’s opening score.

But Iona were not finished yet as winger Mohi offered an inside pass to Doherty who powered over, while Quinn raced in another try after winger Tristan Macdonald had broken away. Rolfe then scored himself, but Padua were the last to score courtesy of Jayden Solien.

Iona’s performance put into perspective how well Marist Ashgrove performed the previous weekend in losing to Iona.

Ashgrove had a match against Ambrose Treacy College, winning 40-16.

The game was another step forward in the development of the fledgling Ambrose Treacy College squad.

Ashgrove in action this season.

“After a massive game for our boys last week, the challenge was always going to be to back it up against a powerhouse like Ashgrove,” said Benjamin Marriott, the ATC Director of Rugby League, in reference to ATC winning in round 3.

Ashgrove dominated the first half to lead 40-0 at half time through some excellent ball control and ruck speed, helped by some ATC errors.

“After some soul searching at half time, the boys responded well in the second half to win the half 16-0 and showcase their true potential, in both defence and attack,’’ Marriott said.

“We’ll take a lot from that.”

“It was another good learning experience for our boys in their first ever season of rugby league”.

The winning Ambrose Treacy College side after its round 3 win.

The second half resurgence was led by co-captain Declan Lever who guided his team brilliantly around the park and pulled all the right strings.

Other strong performers included Chris-Davis Taylor off the bench and Jock Noonan upfront.

Also at Curlew Park, there was some Jack Boland magic as the home team St Patrick’s College hosted St Laurence’s College on the way to a 32-12 win.

Laurie’s opened the scoring, but Paddies were well in the match after displaying excellent discipline with its ball control.

Jack Boland as a First XV player - he also shone in league.

There was one period where St Patrick’s completed nine sets from nine, and this possession pressure helped the home side to lead 18-8 at halftime.

“At halftime our goal was to maintain our standard and keep moving the ball around, while doing little things in defence,’’ explained director of rugby league Brian Polich.

St Laurence’s hit back hard with the first try after the break, but it was St Pat’s who maintained composure to score another three tries.

Polich had high praise for the effort of the St Laurence’s players who “never gave up’’.

Boland’s two try performance included one spectacular 90m intercept try after he had read the play.

Tried and trusted hooker Jhye Leis was also outstanding, and also scored a 45m try, while workhorse props Cohen Taylor and Archie Maddocks made ground. Maddocks also scored two tries.

Villanova's Sam Binney.

The performance was balanced out by Henry Armstrong’s effort in defence, while St Pat’s was also well controlled by half Riley Horn.

St Laurence’s had their own outstanding Armstrong, the highly skilled Harry Armstrong who this season played Firsts Australian football, rugby union and now league.

Harry Armstrong scored another two tries on Saturday.

St Laurence Vs Villanova action in round 3. Picture, John Gass

Overall St Laurence’s attack was improved this week and the group played with more structure, but more discipline which would ease pressure on their defence.

Villaonva College’s win over St Edmund’s College was spearheaded by captain Jackson Connor, hooker Hudson Bishop and reliable prop Sam Binney who again played above his weight in the middle.

Originally published as Iona College close in on AIC First XIII rugby league premiership