AIC rugby round 1: Lauries claim derby win. How your school went in the schoolboy season opener
AIC rugby: How a dynamic round 1 of AIC First XV schoolboys rugby unionh unfolded, with two scorching local derbys and another hard fought thriller.
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St Laurence’s College’s First XV pulled a jack rabbit by the name of Oscar Hawes out of the hat to claim a gripping derby victory over Villanova College in round 1 of the AIC rugby premiership.
Laurie’s prevailed on picture-perfect Andrew Slack Oval by just 10-8, with a late penalty goal from replacement back Josh Steele lifting his side marginally above Villa.
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Laurie’s supporters have an unbreakable last line of defence, and a jack-rabbit winger Oscar Hawes to thank for victory.
Without an amazing last-gasp defensive line, Laurie’s would have perished long before full-time, so many breaks did Villanova make.
But rugby is all about who is in front when the referee blows his whistle at full-time, and no one could deny St Laurence’s the win.
The win was more meritorous considering Laurie’s had a player, Declan Wixted, red-carded in the second half.
“That last of defence, we must have made two or three try saving tackles,’’ said St Laurence’s coach Welmar de Plessis
“They showed guts. I am just really proud. The guys stepped up and you can’t ask more of them.’’
Villa coach Paul Davey added: “To Laurie’s credit they tackled like Demons.
”At the end of the day they deserved the win.
“It is always a tough game when we play them, it is a derby.
“It went down to the wire and unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the ledger today.’’
St Laurence’s was propelled to victory by lightning fast winger Oscar Hawes who scampered to score an amazing long distance solo try to put his side into the lead for the first time.
Hawes, a year 11 student and renowned sprinter at the AIC track and field carnival, was Paul Carozza-like as he powered down the right hand touchline, twice beating defenders with strength, while also keeping his balance and pace.
Steele’s sideline conversion put Laurie’s up 7-3.
But Villa responded with gusto with their best back, Hamish Muir, breaking free to put his side deep into attack.
A quick spread to the left saw second rower Will Johannesen gallop into score to pinch the lead back for his side, 8-7, just minutes after they had lost the advantage.
Tension mounted when St Laurence’s Steele missed a penalty goal, but one minute later Villa conceded a second penalty within range and this time Steele rose to the occasion.
How many chances did Villa have to win? Plenty.
Declan Ries was trybound, but Bailey Phister reeled him in.
Halfback Will Lawrence skipped away down a wide blindside, but again an ankle tap came and his pass to Oscar Donoghue rolled forward.
Twice Villa’s forwards were held up over the line and once Dante Santos was 1mm from scoring.
Villa winger Zac Grinstead turned twinkle toes down the sideline, but Laurie’s fullback Harry Farombella was their to block his run to the tryline.
Muir was great for Villa while John Bryant was enormous for Laurie’s.
IONA VS ST PETERS LUTHERAN
Iona took their chances to beat St Peters Lutheran College in a tight, physical battle with both sides scoring twice in the clash, won 17-10.
It was a tight game from the get go with tries a rare currency as Iona went into the break up 7-5 at halftime.
Charlie Kwock Sun Barker starred for Iona with some strong running and a lovely individual try that would end up deciding the game.
MARIST ASHGROVE VS ST EDMUND’S
Marist College Ashgrove’s backline ran amok against St Edmund’ College, with the premiers winning 87-0.
Fullback Floyd Aubury, wingers Rhonan Jensen and Dwayne Ludwick and centre Josh Billings did the job nicely as they feasted on plenty of ball.
Billings enjoyed tries scoring off Aubury while he enjoyed another after Ethan Lucey and Lucas Kozlovskis had raided away from the kick-off.
St Edmund’s tried hard as they always do, but the reigning AIC premiers has too much class after leading 43-nil at the break.
PADUA VS ST PATRICKS COLLEGE
Late drama rocked the AIC Rugby competition as Padua scored on the siren to tie things up with northside neighbors St Pats in a 20-20 draw.
The breezy conditions were a kickers nightmare as the sides scored four tries each with no conversions.
Padua led for most of the game but a late rally from St Patricks put them in front with barely any time left on the clock.
With the game tinkering away it wasn’t until a last gasp try from Josh Toohey gave Padua the opportunity to win the game with a conversion from the sideline.
The tough conditions made the kick near impossible with a very exciting finish capping of a tight game.