AIC First XV rugby grand final: St Laurence’s College defeat St Edmund’s 18-13
St Laurence’s College went up against the giant-killing St Edmund’s College in the AIC First XV rugby grand final on Saturday. READ THE MATCH REPORT
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The St Laurence’s College First XV reached another high water mark in the college’s history with an AIC rugby premiership winning effort over the giant-killing St Edmund’s College this afternoon.
Black slapping Laurie’s students and old boys invaded the Tivoli Sporting Complex, swamping their playing heroes who disappeared beneath a wave of emotion as the Laurie’s community celebrated a 18-13 win.
They were saluting another sporting golden era for the college, with the players’ achievements this season matching strides with the great squads of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Next to the elated St Laurence’s team Eddies’ jelly-legged players slumped to the ground, their dreams their crushed under by young men in Black and Gold jerseys.
Eddies were brave to the core, rising from a 15-6 deficit to get to within 15-13, 15 minutes from the end.
But Laurie’s, with its old faithful lineout, pick and drive, maul and kicking game, got the job done, aided by outstanding defence.
“It is a team performance,’’ said Laurie’s coach Welmar du Plessis. “It is a surreal feeling.
“They started in September (2021) preparing and every day when they came in their was no complaints,’’ he added, stressing his assistant coaching staff and physio team had played their part in the success.
“The message this week was to stay calm, that it is just another game even though we knew there was more at stake.
“I told them whether we win or lose, this game does not define us because we know what we are about.
“But now it is three in a row.’’
St Laurence’s College director of sport Eddie Wallace said the college also shared the First XI premiership (with Villanova), “however it was first time since 2001 we had won both’’.
Saturday’s First XV clash was a showdown between the competition’s two unbeaten teams and the contest did not disappoint.
Entering 2022, every man and his dog expected the Welmar du Plessis-coach, Jake Kurbatoff-captained St Laurence’s outfit to push hard to retain the title they claimed in 2021.
But who expected Eddies to ride a wave of success after years in the wilderness to be title contenders? No one, except the Eddies’s players, their coach Andrew Kirk and his support staff.
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du Plessis also praised Eddies. “Credit to Andrew Kirk who has turned the program around in two or three years. They played in a good spirit, they playing to the end and they pushed us.’’
Indeed both team’s deserve high praise.
It is one thing being favourites, but it is another negotiating the rigours of an AIC rugby season in an away grand final against a group of brave, motivated Eddies players. But St Laurence’s players played their game and held their nerve under fatigue.
As for Eddies, they built team work, self belief and momentum as the season progressed, even surviving Villanova’s age rattling opening in round six to win comfortably in the end.
They again displayed spirit and skill to rally from 15-6 down, and every player on the field will be a better person and player for the experience.
“We gave them too many advantages after finding ourselves in good field position,’’ Eddies’ coach Kirk said.
“It hurts, but our players should be proud of themselves from where we have come from in the last two to three years.
“We gave Laurie’s a shake and that is all I can ask for.’’
FAST FACTS
+ St Laurence’s College were outright winners of the AIC premiership in 2021, but also shared the title in 2020 during the COVID-19 interrupted season
+ St Laurence’s College last won three premierships in succession between 1987-89, a golden period which saw the college win six titles in seven seasons.
+ St Edmund’s last won the premiership in 2014
By heavens Eddie’s fought hard long into the second half.
After defending a St Laurence’s line out and associated pick and drive assault for many phases, Eddie’s prop Bailey Ward inspired his team with a big tackle, and then Zane Kaatz found touch 65m up the field.
Not long after they launched a counter attack from the back, but Laurie’s No.8 everywhere man Joe Nadenic covered to bundle Eddie’s fullback Tyler Cuthbert over the sideline.
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In the first half Eddies tried to move the ball and play upbeat, but as soon as Laurie’s were waved a penalty and kicked for touch triggering an attacking line out, they were in their comfort zone.
One, two and three pick and drive efforts were followed by a penalty which Laurie’s winger Brody McLaren converted to open the scoring.
Laurie’s played territory early while Eddie’s were intent on playing on quickly and keeping ball in hand.
But Laurie’s were on red alert for halfback Ah-Ki’s snipping runs and once captain Jake Kurbatoff swallowed him ball and all.
Then it came as no surprise to the Laurie’s faithful when a line out win and pick and drive created the first try, with hulking centre Mikael Ibrahim burrowing his way over. Laurie’s led 10-3.
Eddie’s then delivered Laurie’s their own attacking one-two from the line out, forcing Laurie’s halfback Callum Reidy to make a try saving covering tackle on Regan Payne.
But the St Laurence’s defence held up, although a Zane Kaatz penalty goal did give Eddie’s some reward. Laurie’s led 10-6.
St Laurence’s were the next to score when an attacking line out delivered an almighty blow.
It as a trick shot set piece, with flanker Lachlan Rolls grasping ball on the open side only to t reel a pass back to the blindside where Laurie’s hooker Bailey Corelli found a channel to the try line.
Hats off to whoever masterminded that set piece variation and for the St Laurence’s forwards for pulling it off on the biggest day of the season.
Down 15-6, Eddie’s had to be the next to score because you don’t run down this Laurie’s defensive outfit from a long way back in the field.
And so it was the case when Siala scored in the second half, but he almost had another right on halftime.
Hoiwever, St Laurence’s five eight Darcy Rowan brought down Eddie’s prime mover and then Laurence’s No.8 Joe Nadenic stole the ball to deny Eddie’s.
Well done to Laurie’s goal kicker Brody McLaren for kicking three his goals in a tight contest, and also to the kicking game of Eddies No.10 Kaatz..
Scores: St Laurence’s College 18 (M Ibrahim, B Cotelli tries; McLaren conv, 2 pens) def StEdmund’s College 13 (L Siala try; Z Kaatz conv, 2 pens).
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