AIC First XI cricket round 6: Dramatic three way premiership tie looms large

AIC First XI cricket round 6: A dramatic three way premiership title looms large on the horizon with one round remaining.

Ashgrove all-rounder Jack Watson. Picture courtesy of Denver Jensen.

Premiers Iona College, Villanova and Marist College Ashgrove were heading for a dramatic tied title after one of three contenders slipped on the ladder and eased back to third position.

Marist’s five wicket win over Villanova has swung Villa from first to third, elevating Ash to equal leaders. This was after Iona also had a win, beating St Laurence’s College.

TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 4

Entering the last round all three teams were equal on nine points.

Villa had a chance to retain its outright lead, but the Ashgrove bowlers dismissed them for 98, paving the way for an Ash win (5-99).

Providing all three teams win in round seven, Iona, Villa and Ash will share the premiership.

Round 7 fixtures

St Patricks v Villanova.

Iona v St Edmund’s

Marist v Padua

St Peters v St Laurence’s

St Pat’s will be a wildcard in the pack if Queensland U17 bowler Theo Tsingos plays for them against Villanova, because he has the ability to inflict damage on any batting line-up.

TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 3

TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 2

TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND 1

TODAY’S GAMES

Ashgrove v Villanova

The story of the match was the performance of the Ashgrove bowlers, with young leg spinners Joshua Pope (3-18) and Archie Tallon (3-10) having their way with their rivals.

The boys dominated the Villanova innings after Ashgrove new ball bowler, medium pacer Joey Laner, captured an early wicket.

Iona College and St Peters Lutheran College Photography by Stephen Archer

William Easter’s medium pace also impacted the game (2-14), but it was all Pope and Tallon.

Tallon caught and bowled Villa’s anchorman, opener Christian Frederiksen, while Pope ousted Villanova’s best player, Finn Thallon.

Pope also had Villa’s most threatening player, Alex Borger (21), caught by Laner and the door was ajar.

When Ashgrove batted, Thallon (2-20) and Oscar Tesch (1-19) sent a scare through the Ashgrove camp with early wickets, but the consistent Jack Watson (40) and captain Laner (26 not out) steadied the ship.

Iona College and St Peters Lutheran College Photography by Stephen Archer

Iona v St Laurence’s

Iona also had a fright against Laurie’s before Toby Collins (73, 73 balls) changed the game in an hour of batting.

Laurie’s wildcard quick Thomas Vaseo (3-26), Jacob Bingham, Benjamin Stallman and Gus Jones-Sheppard all eroded the Iona batting until Collins’ changed the innings.

He plundered nine fours and two sixes, and together with Flynn Donnelly (28) and then Jesse Haller, Collins swung momentum in Iona’s direction.

Villanova College and St Laurence photos by Stephen Archer

When St Laurence’s batted, Year 11 student Kaelan Reynolds (70) stood up to the Iona attack in style.

Displaying great temperament, he played positively, defending the good ball but backing his skills when the chance came up.

He stroked nine fours and lofted a six and deserves high praise.

Iona swing bowler Finn Haller (2-15) was too for his rivals, while young spinner James Turner cashed in with 4-31. Luke Biddle (1-20) and Flynn Donnelly also bowled supporting spells for Iona.

Padua v St Patrick’s

The game of the round saw St Pat’s claim a gripping one wicket win over an Iona side which almost stole the game at the death.

St Pat’s made 168, with Padua replying to reach 9-167.

St Patrick’s College Batting V St Edmunds College Saturday March 1 2025. Photos by Stephen Archer

St Pat’s can thank Theo Tsingos (25), Henry Moore (11) and William Mortimer (34) for the win, because their late order batting elevated a side which was in danger of being bowled out for sub-150.

When Padua batted, Benjamin de Waard (58) and Jack Mercer (35) had a huge role in the shape of the innings, until Tsingos and Alexander Bullock (2-27) caused grief the more the match progressed. Carter McSweeney (3-32) was also outstanding with three wickets.

St Peters Lutheran College had a win. Photos by Stephen Archer

St Peters v St Edmund’s

Saints captain Lars Sagorski has done it again and again this season, and today he delivered some more with 3-10 in a 10 wicket swamping of St Edmund’s.

Harrison Brown (2-9) was also on song as Eddie’s were bundled out for 58.

In reply, Oliver Goring (30 not out) rushed his side to a winning total.

St Patricks College Batting V St Edmonds College Saturday March 1 2025. Photos by Stephen Archer