AIC First XV rugby Rd 2: Padua prevail in whirlwind clash against Ash
AIC First XV rugby: Padua pulled off a huge scalp while Villanova survived the try of the season by Paddies’ fullback Boland as the schoolboy rugby competition went up another notch.
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The AIC First XV schoolboy rugby competition hotted up on Saturday as Iona, St Laurence’s Padua and Villanova came away winners in an exciting day of action.
In Shorncliffe, St Patrick’s were defeated 33-32 by Villanova, Iona flexed their muscles with a 52-7 win over St Edmund’s, Padua prevailed 22-13 over Ashgrove at Ashgrove and St Laurence’s dealt with St Peters 59-10.
In Shorncliffe, St Patrick’s fullback Jack Boland scored arguably the try of the season to date but it was Villanova who withstood a staggering Paddies recovery to win 33-32.
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Villa banked just enough points to get home, although had a conversion attempt next to the posts by Boland, an attempt which hit both uprights, gone over then the result could have been reversed.
Paddies scored six tries to five but the goal kicking of Nate Wallin proved the difference.
Paddies fullback Boland won his team’s Doubles Daley best player medal while tenacious Villanova flanker Will Gallagher claimed his team’s best player award.
On a normal day St Patrick’s hooker and captain Manaaki Bateman would have been man of the match for his three try effort. But this was no normal day.
Indeed at full time both players, teachers and spectators had lost track of the scoring, such was the second half flurry of points.
Boland contributed to the entertainment with a remarkable solo try in traffic, ducking and diving and accelerating past defenders in a scorching 45m effort to cross.
Then a fierce run by Paddies No.8 Cohen Taylor, a real effort player, set up a try for Ryan Smallhorne and Paddies were within a point of their rivals.
In the last four minutes Paddies attacked again to try and pass Villa, but the visitors scrambled to victory.
Villanova Flanker Gallagher garnished his performance with two tries, but he would have been in player of the match contention even without the points.
Villa coach Eddie Harris said while it was a “pretty ugly wing” the boys “held tough” despite not always adhering to the game plan.
But he was pleased with the aggressive effort in contact and the defensive line speed.
St Patrick’s coach and director of sport Jim Potts said the side fought back well after giving away two early converted tries.
“They put themselves in a position to win but there were a couple of missed opportunities. It was a game we could have and should have won, “Potts said.
It was a free flowing, up tempo first half featuring some erratic ball handling, but it mattered little - such was the entertainment.
Villanova, featuring more urgency and desperation than in round 1, were aggressive with and without the ball at the breakdown.
Villanova flanker Gallagher lock Joshua Hollett and hooker Jett Tupou and the Villa props were to the fore as Villa tried to out enthuse a motivated Paddies pack led by hooker Bateman.
Although down four tires to two at halftime, St Pat’s were well in the match, particularly when hooker Bateman peeled off a rolling maul just after the break to reduce the margin by a further seven points courtesy of Boland’s conversion.
Smile of the day went to Villa winger Lachlan Ebrington who expertly finished a sweeping team move after the back division had counter attacked.
On McMahon Oval, Padua spearhead Damon Humphrys sprinkled magic dust when he ran the ball to guide his side to an edge of the seat 22-13 victory over hosts Ashgrove.
Around the athletic head gear wearing fly half, the efforts of prop Taavi Upchurch and flanker Fynn Dalton were influential in Padua’s pursuit of success.
Padua found the scoreboard early with a Humphrys penalty goal, then moved ahead 10-0 after a promising rolling maul was rewarded with a penalty try.
Ashgrove never led, but were always in Padua’s rear view mirror as Tom Howard rallied his troops for a late game comeback. The fullback leader was vocal all game, seemingly one play ahead as he instructed teammates where and how Padua would attack.
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Down 22-13 with five minutes left, Ashgrove threatened to draw closer but an unplayable maul five metres out starved Ashgrove of potentially a miracle moment late in the game.
The two scrums that followed Ashgrove dominated, but Humphrys’ clearing kicks relieved pressure once again, and as time dwindled down so did the hopes of Ashgrove clawing back.
And so the whistle sounded, Padua ahead 22-13 on the scoreboard after tries to No.8 and captain Will Tozer and winger Tyrone Burr extended Padua’s lead beyond a converted try and to subsequent victory.
“It’s a wonderful thing to be given the honour to come out and run the boys on,” said Padua captain Will Tozer after the game.
“Wearing that crest on your shoulder and jersey is just unbelievable. It’s such an honour.
“It’s very good to go watch the Broncos play at Suncorp but to come down here on an afternoon on Marist oval with your mates it’s just an unreal experience,” said Tozer.
“We play them every year and it’s been tough every year. We come out batted and bruised and sore the next week,” said Tozer.
“Marist especially, we had to turn up big today, such a skilful team and they always have been.”
Padua and Ashgrove have long been rivals in this age group, with games always coming down to the wire. It is because of the history between the schools from Year 5 to Year 12 that made Saturday’s result so special for the visitors.
“Memories of getting bashed up, not wanting to go to school on Monday, being sore. It’s always a contest. Scoring a couple tries against them is always a lucky thing, it’s tough,” said Tozer of his early memories playing Ashgrove.
“It’s just tough all around the park so to get that win today is just unreal.”
He said the secret sauce was the togetherness and unity of his squad, which were stronger for it after a good pre-season together.
“To be honest, Padua is such a great school. The mateship we have and the camaraderie we have between our Year 10s, 11s and 12s is just unreal.
“We all trust each other.
“We back each other and we always know we will be there for each other.”
As mentioned earlier, Humphrys, Upchurch, Dalton and Tozer were influential for Padua. Big Australian Under-16s lock William Ross also made an impact, as did the pacy Jayden Solien who looked at home in jersey No.15 despite playing as an edge forward or No.13 for the Souths Logan Magpies Meninga Cup team.
For the home side, smart halfback Lachie McCall scored a timely try in the second half when taking a chance from the ruck. He was busy and accurate with his passing again, while hooker Josh Heinrich had his radar working again, kicking three-from-three off the tee.
Ashgrove flankers Seb Gardiner and Ben Caughley, like Dalton, were hard on the ball and won a handful of crucial penalties at the breakdown. Lock Pat Anderson, abrasive No.8 Jasper Barry and Howard brothers Tom and Xavier were also impressive for the boys in blue and gold.
In the first half, Padua were at their best with Jayden Solien returning the ball at full pelt, and with fly half Humphrys targeting the corners with his kicking game to put pressure on Ashgrove.
Humphrys’ grubber kicking caused problems for Ashgrove at times.
At Iona College, the home team’s fullback Campbell Rolfe was supreme as his side kicked away from a young St Edmund’s 52-7.
Genuine premiership contenders, Iona proved too much for an Eddie’s squad which just seven days earlier were back slapping each other after a round 1 win.
“We stayed on our lane and our points came from playing good rugby,” said Iona coach Paul Davey who watched his team’s first two tries come from beautifully executed line out mauls.
Steering the ship was fullback Rolfe who “was amazing today”, also kicking six from seven in damp conditions.
When Iona got field position hooker Fononga Tuitahi was mighty with his set piece work and carries while outside backs Jack Pascoe and Matt Doherty shone.
Iona did not have the only five star performers, with Eddie’s No.8 Jack Breuer involved in countless turnover efforts.
He led an inexperienced side well, a group who would have learned so much today against heavyweights Iona.
Coach Andrew Kirk likened the clash like a light weight fighting a heavyweight, but he was proud of his boys.
He said Tiger Campbell also did well while Dan Casey (second rower) played his best game in the Firsts for Eddie’s.
“Every now and again we threw a few punches and you look okay, but they are a heavyweight.
“I am not disappointed.”
Kirk said his group also lost a lot of our backs to injury which did not help.
At St Peters, St Laurence’s College showed their class with a convincing 59-10 victory.
Fullback Xavier Santos and fly half Finn Mackay were a class above for the visitors with their high IQ shining through thanks to the platform laid by their big and powerful forward pack.
Santos had been Mr Consistent for St Laurence’s, always performing strongly at fullback. Saturday was no different with his kick returns and trusty high ball catching a highlight for the visitors.
Mackay was also brilliant, with No.8 Ben Davis giving his backline space and time thanks to his dynamic ball carrying.
Big Davis spearheaded a sizeable pack consisting of Luka Smith, Huw Griffiths, Preston O’Brien, Justin Wilson, Tom Nadenic, Liam O’Callaghan and Cooper Hamilton.
The entire forward pack was damaging, but the pick of the bunch had to have been Davis, Doubles Daley medallist Griffiths and his front row partners Smith and O’Brien.
Their work rate was something else, as was their ability to stick to St Laurence’s deadly game plan which on Saturday allowed for some expansive rugby to be played out wide through Zack McNeven, Owen Frost, Santos and Co.
St Peters playmaker Wallace Charlie took out Doubles Daley honours for his side, while Alex Brown was excellent for the second week in a row with his work ethic across the paddock a highlight for the home team.
Daniel Norris also turned it on at flanker for St Peters, despite being under the weather. He led the way for St Peters who, despite a clear size disadvantage, defended well, scrummaged well and gave their opponents everything they had for the full 70 minutes.
ROUND 3
Villanova v St Laurence’s
St Edmund’s v Padua
Iona v Marist
St Peters v St Patrick’s
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