AIC First XIII rugby league round 2 features thrillers in Paddies-Villa and Ash-Padua clashes

AIC First XIII rugby league: Two thrillers a feature and best leading players revealed from an exciting round 2 of action.

Action from the round 1 Iona v St Laurence's College game. Picture, John Gass

St Patrick’s and Marist College Ashgrove were narrow winners in round 2 cliff hangers last Saturday.

And Iona continued to build its game while St Laurence’s Cooper Brown scored a hat-trick in his team’s performance.

Enjoy our story on how it all unfolded, and who led the way for their respective teams.

AIC ROUND 1 REPORT

AIC FIRST XIII RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH

St Patrick’s v Villanova

St Patrick’s 22-16 victory over Villanova was highlighted by an improved completion rate and a rousing performance by its bench players who supported the starting XIII.

Villanova started well and led 6-4 going into halftime, but St Pat’s coach Brian Polich said the halftime focus around improving ball control saw a more complete second half effort by the northern bayside boys.

St Patrick's Cohen Taylor as a First XV player in Term 2 - he was one of his team's best as a rugby league player for Paddies in Term 3.

During his halftime talk Polich challenged his team to complete six of its first set six tackles in the second half, and while they failed to do this St Pat’s did complete eight from nine - including completing each set after scoring. “Achieving this will keep you in any schoolboy game,’’ Polich said.

Polich also had high praise for Villanova players who “never gave up and played all the way to the end’’.

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St Patrick’s performance was spearheaded by hooker Jhye Leis, centre Joshua Gregory alongside hard working, tough props Cohen Taylor and Archie Maddocks.

Around them the Paddies’ bench also played its role in the win.

“We look forward to building off the success and seeking improvements,’’ Polich said.

Villa coach Michael Cahill said his team’s effort could not be questioned and there was steady improvement across the first two matches.

AIC First XIII rugby league game St Patrick's v Villanova Saturday July 20, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Villanova’s lock Jack Connor, hooker Hudson Bishop, the ever reliable prop Sam Binny and fullback Nate Wallin were their team’s best.

Binney, consistently outstanding during the Term 2 First XV rugby season, is a true blue campaigner while Bishop makes a ton of tackles.

Marist College Ashgrove v Padua

Marist edged out Padua 20-14, scoring 20 unanswered points after Padua had jumped out of the blocks to lead 14-nil.

AIC First XIII rugby league game Ashgrove v Villanova Saturday July 20, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Marist co-coach Dallas Williams said his team displayed confidence as a group in both attack and defence in its come from behind victory.

But he would like to continue a focus on controlling the ruck speed and also defence.

For Ashgrove the quick stepping outside back Tom Howard was a spark for his side, while forward leader Jasper Barry and inform Lachlan McCall were to the fore. Liam Rice also shone for Ashgrove.

Padua coach Gary O’Brien said after a strong first half, his team did not take their opportunities in the second period of play while “Ashgrove took their chances’’.

Iona College v St Edmund’s College

With halfback Levi Hawea and fullback Tyler Pereira getting plenty of touches, Iona College had a 42-12 win over a gallant St Edmund’s.

Iona in action. Picture, John Gass

While Iona scored 42 points, most pleasing for the Iona camp was its defence because both St Edmund’s tries came off kicks.

Co-captain Hawea shone with his direct running, while Pereira was strong with his kick returns.

No.13 Pat Phakanam was a handful with his leg drive in contact, fighting for plenty of post contact metres.

St Edmund’s fighting performance against premiership favourites Iona was led by Conrad Browne and Harry Vidler.

In two matches Vidler has consistently bent the line with his strong runs, while Browne has been a spark with the ball.

Browne was a chef organiser and creator who did a good job covering for Eddies’ injury crisis in the halves.

AIC First XIII rugby league game Iona v St Laurence's College Saturday July 20, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Overall, coach Lachlan Trenery said he admired his side never gave up. “We scored points late in both halves which shows me that I’ve got a resilient group,’’ he said.

St Edmund’s defenders scrambled well but “we need to start strong and put together long periods of good footy together,’’ Trenery explained.

He also stressed the need to control possession better. “We just gave a quality footy side too much ball in our half.’’

A strong run by a St Laurence's College players in round 1.

St Laurence’s v ATC

St Laurence’s were designated a bye, but took the opportunity for match practise by playing Ambrose Treacy College, a college with an emerging rugby league program which they hope will lead to the fielding of a regular First XIII side in years to come.

Laurie’s Cooper Brown scored three tries in a match won 40-nil.

St Laurence’s open’s manager Sam Dickman was pleased with his team’s defence but said more work was required around ball control. “Improvement is needed in completing sets,’’ Dickman said.

Ambrose Treacy Director of Rugby League Ben Marriott said the main improvement needed was slowing down the ruck speed and winning the wrestle after St Laurence’s beat them in this department at the weekend.

“We showed glimpses of our potential in attack, but didn’t quite get the rub of the green in the end,” Marriott said.

Co-Captain Jock Noonan stood tall and took carry after carry. “He led like a true skipper, through his actions.”

Other strong performers included young halfback Jasper Dittmar, five-eighth Blake Densley and edge forward Joseph Romer.

“We are excited to get back to work and show what we are capable of next weekend for our ‘Back to ATC Day’.’’