AIC First XIII rugby league Players of the Round
The AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Round includes Broncos, Canterbury boys: Who shone brightest in round three revealed here.
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Canterbury signed Mitch Rogers (Padua) played a blinder and Cameron Bukowski (Villanova) scored two tries as Iona College, Villa and Padua picked up the pace in the AIC First XIII rugby league with wins last weekend.
Villanova College defeated St Laurence’s College 22-12, Padua had a win 26-6 against St Edmund’s and Iona surged to a 14-point victory over Marist College Ashgrove.
The Villa-Laurie’s local derby was a grudge match that lived up to the name, with Villa displaying basic fundamentals better, while St Laurence’s College coach Paul Boase said “our discipline let us down’’.
Villanova coach Blake McLaughlin said the win “instilled our players with a tremendous amount of confidence heading into the final three rounds of the AIC competition’’.
“Their ball movement was smooth and precise, with effective communication among players, resulting in scoring opportunities through well-timed passes and clever running lines.
“The boys exhibited excellent decision-making skills, promptly identifying gaps in SLC’s defence and capitalising on them to gain meters.
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“Notably, the 1st XIII’s defensive performance was equally commendable.
“Their ability to sustain their defensive efforts throughout the majority of the match was impressive.
“They remained organised and supportive of one another, preventing SLC from gaining momentum and maintaining control of the game.’’
Padua’s win over Eddies was on the back of a good team performance while Iona clocked up another important win.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
1. Bryce Hancock (Iona)
He was outstanding making numerous breaks mixed in with tough defence. He also played hooker for part of the match.
2. Lachlan Ebrington (VIllanova)
If they gave out prizes for being solid, then Ebrington would win for sure.
3. Ryan Andrew (Padua)
Right centre Andrew defended astutely, chased kicks, and scored a cracking try in a good day out.
4. Aiden Jackson (Villanova)
Jackson was an impressive outside back in the rugby season but has stepped into his own this season playing the sport he loves.
He has “been great’’ in the opening rounds.
5. Jarah Chaseling (Padua)
Only in Year 10, Chaseling had been going very well at left centre and at the weekend it was no different with the Padua young gun having some great involvements.
6. Larry Clark (Villanova)
Again Team of the Week staple Larry Clark was solid in the halves and read the play very well on in attack.
7. Nate Roberts (Ashgrove)
A five-eight, Roberts stepped up from the seconds and showed he could handle this level comfortably.
Roberts defended well and showcased his smart and accurate kicking game.
8. Riki Taylor (Villanova)
A proven performer, Taylor was strong again up the middle and had good defence.
He got Villa onto the front foot and laid the foundation for victory doing so.
9. Mitch Rogers (Padua)
A class act, he has played some mighty matches and his performance last weekend was another top tier effort. He had to have played well to beat Cameron Bukowski and Eddie’s Jack Chandler into the No. 9 jersey.
10 Calef Johnson (Padua)
The big, mobile middle forward thrusted himself into the fray, impacting most sets of six while he was on the field.
He was a heavy lifter for Padua.
11. Brock Powell (Padua)
Left backrower Powell engaged in really good lead runs and defended his backside.
He played sixty minutes in a tireless effort.
12. Ben Addley (Villanova)
Another proven workhorse, Addley had some extremely strong carries for Villa who had room to move with Addley tiring out defenders.
13. Cam Bukoswki (Villanova)
The Queensland schoolboys hooker was a handful against rivals Laurie’s, capping his performance with two tries. We named him at No. 13 because he just had to be in the First XIII somewhere.
RESERVES
Ned Bradley (St Laurence’s College)
Laurie’s didn’t have elite performers, but Ned Bradley worked hard in the middle with his defence.
Jack Chandler (St Edmund’s)
Consistently one of his team’s strongest performers, Chandler challenged Padua’s middle with his running game and finished the sets well with his kicking game.
A reliable defender, Chandler plays 60 minutes every week at one of the most demanding positions on the park – hooker.
Isaac McCarthy (St Edmund’s)
The second roewr defended soundly for Eddies and controlled his edge.
He was a constant threat in the air and set up his team’s lone try.
Liam Wilson (St Edmund’s)
With McCarthy, Wilson was a game defender on an edge in a game where Eddies put themselves under a lot of pressure.
He was consistent with his carries and reliable.
Lachlan McCall (Ashgrove)
McCall is improving every week. A hooker who displayed plenty of energy in both attack and defence, McCall played big minutes due to an injury to Ashgrove’s back-up No.9.
Nathan Gillett (Ashgrove)
At prop, this was his first starting appearance. He worked really hard in defence, regularly the third man in. He was an all effort type of player.