Here are 12 sporting stars from four codes in Ipswich
Revealed here are 12 sporting stars from four Ipswich codes from across the weekend.
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Here 12 sporting stars are named across several different sporting codes.
Each week, we will take a look at the guns and standout performers from the sporting week in Ipswich.
Stay tuned to see the youngsters in the Langer Trophy, Walters Cup, Langer Trophy Reserve, Basketball, football, rugby union and other sporting competitions carving up in and around Ipswich.
Check out the stars from the past week:
Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki (St Edmund’s College)
This young halfback is doing it all for Eddies. Queensland Reds academy ace Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki has steered his team to their best start of AIC First XV schoolboy rugby since the 2014 season.
The deceptive scrumhalf scored a hattrick on Saturday afternoon against Villanova College and has kicked sharply off the tee all season.
Tafito and his Ipswich brothers are one win away from an AIC First XV schoolboy rugby premiership with St Laurence’s College standing in their way.
Ipswich might just be producing a next generation Tate McDermott with the boot of James O’Connor.
He will need to play like so if his team wants to take the 2022 rugby crown off the boys in black and gold.
Kadin Pritchard (St Peters Springfield)
Pritchard and his underdog team journeyed to Ashgrove on Saturday afternoon and left 25-10 winners in what was the Ashgrove seniors last ever home game.
Pritchard spoiled their fun. St Peters got their first win over the competition powerhouses in six years.
Pritchard showed up to play and wasn’t going to settle for anything less.
He penetrated Ashgrove’s defensive line in the first half to score a cracking 30m solo try.
For the full 70 minutes Pritchard’s in-game kicking was phenomenal and it kept Ashgrove on the backfoot.
You could see how much it meant to the St Peters coaching staff, to Kadin and to the students who came out to support by the look on their faces.
Hassan Sheriff and Moe Koroi (St Peters Springfield)
Sheriff and Koroi are front row machines from St Peters Springfield who have had a stellar AIC First XV schoolboy rugby season thus far.
Their 25-10 victory over Ashgrove on Saturday afternoon marked their first win over the AIC powerhouses in six years.
Sheriff and Koroi have been rock solid all season in what is St Peters best campaign since 2016.
Whether it is in the scrums, in the lineouts or as moral support for their teammates to keep pushing, these boys have had their team covered.
You can hear Sheriff chirping on the sidelines, and Koroi is a rock in the lineouts. In a season where sickness has struck their team, these boys haven’t missed a game.
They are the reason St Peters have the chance to finish their season off with a 4-2 record if they triumph over Iona College this weekend in their final game ever.
Rugby League:
James Frazer (Ipswich State High School Langer Trophy)
Frazer and his winger Kulu Baruani worked in tandem in Ipswich SHS’s 24-16 victory over Keebra SHS in round 1 of the Langer Trophy.
Frazer’s first half performance was the reason Ipswich won the game.
He was the catalyst in Ipswich’s 24-nil first half blitzing over a stunned Keebra outfit that had no answer for the gun playmaker.
With a try assist and a four-pointer in the opening 10 minutes, was able to put a ton of pressure on Keebra from the outset, and his teammates followed suit piling on the tries.
Kulu Baruani (Ipswich State High School Langer Trophy)
Baruani was the King of execution at the North Ipswich reserve on Wednesday night’s Langer Trophy showcase.
He had a mix of speed and strength on the right wing which saw him finish off two superb tries.
Having someone like Baruani on the wing gave Ipswich the edge. Not only is he a try-scoring threat, but he takes hit-ups and is solid on defence.
Anton Naiyep (Ipswich State High School Langer Trophy)
Naiyep’s presence on Ipswich’s left wing cannot be understated. He isn’t the biggest wing but he makes up for it with his heart and physicality.
Naiyep’s ball-running is hard and fast, and he accelerates into contact, rather than slows down. His heart on defence was evident at many moments throughout Wednesday’s Langer Trophy game, holding down the left edge and making huge tackles in telling moments when Keebra were on the charge.
Naiyep’s most underrated asset is his skill under the high-ball.
He was very confident when catching high-bombs, and returned the ball with aggression every run. A deadly winger Naiyep will prove to be as the season progresses.
Joven Gyemore (Ipswich State High School Langer Reserve Grade)
The fantastic fullback was there when it mattered on Wednesday night as he stole the game from Keebra in the games dying moments.
Down two, Gyemoremade an important stop with his leg on an attempted grubber by Keebra, regathered it, and sprinted away 85m to give Ipswich the lead at the final whistle.
Ipswich were clawing their way back for the whole game, and the young fullback clinched it in the final play of the game with pure magic.
Jye Gibson (Ipswich State High School Walters Cup)
Gibson was monumental in a losing side on Wednesday night. His impact off the bench gave Ipswich a chance at coming back from a large deficit.
It was his strength when crashing through Keebra’s defence that saw him snag a try and get his team on the front foot.
His damaging ball-running will no doubt be utilised further as Ipswich SHS’s Walters Cup campaign progresses.
Football:
Abbey Lloyd (Western Pride Senior Women team)
After a long lay off due to the weather conditions, the Western Pride senior women returned to the pitch on Wednesday night.
Taking on the South West Thunder, Abbey Lloyd picked up where she left off when her team beat Virginia FC on May 7 at Briggs Road.
Lloyd, last year’s Football Queensland and Western Pride Golden Boot 2021 winner did not disappoint scoring three out of the teams five goals.
Beth Moran (Western Pride Senior Women team)
Although Lloyd had a stellar hattrick performance, Western Pride’s defence stood up when it needed.
Beth Moran, Prides goalkeeper was called upon several times during the game.
Moran kept a clean sheet and helped her team come away 5-0 winners.
This win secured Pride the second spot on the ladder, only two points behind Peninsula Power.
Meg McElligott (Western Pride Senior Women team)
Western Pride’s women’s team played another game on Saturday as they took on The Gap FC. Pride had most of the possession in the first half but showed no reward for their efforts, heading into the sheds 0-0.
The second half was a different story. Head coach Pye Augustine said: “The team’s structure just needed a little tweaking to break down the Gap’s strong defence.”
Former Brisbane Roar player, Meg McElligott turned it on, finding the net three times.
Abbey Lloyd joined in on the fun when adding another goal. Western Pride won 4-0, and will take on the league leaders Peninsula Power on Wednesday.
BMX:
Holyee Jackson (Ipswich State High School)
Holyee is preparing for the BMX World Championships in France this July.
The Grade 8 has the golden recipe with both talent, love for the sport, and determination.
At only 13, she is more than ready to take on the World Titles and do her best for Australia. Read about Holyee’s story here.
The Queensland Times is looking for your sporting stars of the weekend. Send an email to nick.tucker@news.com.au to include Ipswich high-performers from any sport.
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