AIC First XV Team of the Week revealed as Padua do battle with St Peters

The round 4 AIC First XV Team of the Week can be revealed after the premiers Padua revved up its title defence against St Peters to complete a split round.

Marist Ashgrove celebrate a try last Saturday. Picture: Stephen Archer.

Life without injured premiership winning five-eight Damon Humphrys looked just fine for Padua as the boys from Kedron clicked into gear to dismantle St Peters 65-nil.

Padua’s win completed a split round four of matches after, last week, St Edmund’s beat St Patrick’s 33-19, while Villanova defeated Iona 33-7.

Then last Saturday Ashgrove beat St Laurence’s 52-21, leaving Ashgrove and Padua College as the two unbeaten teams.

Padua’s win maintained the team’s unbeaten record and kept the group on track to defend their title against Marist Ashgrove in round 7.

What a performance it was from Padua as winger Rory West feasted behind a ball winning pack which had their way with their rivals.

Padua College player Will Ross. Picture, John Gass

Winger West scored three tries as Padua’s outside backs roared into action after elite second rower Will Ross had led his forwards by example.

Ross was a colossus, flankers Jacob Grant and Tom O’Regan enormous around the field, while the front three of Leon Lane, Harry Walsh and Jack Mercer engineered a dominating scrum.

With nice clearance by halfback Billy Atchison helping his five-eight Clark, the No.10 was able to run a backline that at times looked like poetry in motion.

The crisp passing, speed and support play was a joy to behold.

With possession flowing faster than Kedron Brook in flood, Padua’s outside backs purred like the engine of a Mercedes-Benz being taken for its first run down the M1.

Padua’s campaign could have hit a speed bump as ace No.10 Humphrys recovered from a minor knee injury, but Clark successfully switched from inside centre to flyhalf.

Although he twice had his kicks charged down by St Peters best player, flanker James Kenny, Clark rarely missed the boat in a performance which featured strong running and judicious service.

The Padua back five of West, Harrison Vera, Harlem Faalafi, Rueben Smith and Jarah Chaseling were lethal, with outside centre Vera winning the Doubles Daley Medal and stylish fullback Chaseling particularly impressive.

When Humphrys returns either this weekend or next, there is absolutely no doubt Padua have the firepower and the will to retain its premiership.

Poor old St Peters were out of their depth. The group have had several stoic performances this season, but they were completely and utterly blown off the park by Padua’s forward thrust and withering counter-attacks.

Padua led 31-nil at halftime and doubled their score in the second half.

Both Padua props scored, with Mercer crossing the line and Lane kicking a conversion. They deserved to get on the score sheet after their strong scrum performance.

Marist Ashgrove supporters celebrate a try last Saturday. . Picture: Stephen Archer.

ROUND 4 TEAM OF THE WEEK

15. Jarah Chaseling (Padua)

14. Liam Rice (Ashgrove)

13. Hudson Bishop (Villanova)

12. Chad O’Connell (St Edmund’s)

11. Harrison Vera (Padua)

10. Lachie Francis (Villanova)

9. Pat Albion (St Edmund’s)

8. Eliot Aldridge (Ashgrove)

7. Seb Gardiner (Ashgrove)

6. Tom O’Regan (Padua)

5. Seb Kracht (St Edmund’s)

4. Will Ross (Padua)

3. Sam Binney (Villanova)

2. Jett Tupou (Villanova)

1. Markus Iselin (St Edmund’s)

Reserves:

Liam Whale (Iona)

Brad Smith (St Laurence’s)

Leon Lane (Padua)

Ollie Millard (Ashgrove)

Rory West (Padua)

Jacob Grant (Padua)

Nate Clark (Padua)

Xavier Howard (Ashgrove)

Ted Clarke (Ashgrove)

Ted Clarke makes a break for Ashgrove against ST Laurence's. He deserved his spot on the bench.

Honourable mentions: James Kenny (St Peters), Gio Koopu (St Laurence’s), Jack Mercer (Padua), James Johnston (Ashgrove), Mitch Wallis (St Patrick’s), Keanu Bothma (Iona), Fionn MacCafferkey (Iona), Bailey Swifte (Iona), Darcy Kerr (Villanova), Sam Borger (Villanova), Diesel Hauff (Iona), Joshua Heinrich (Ashgrove), Luka Smith (St Laurence’s), Harry Vidler (St Edmund’s), Tomi Wilson (St Edmund’s), Josh Madden (St Laurence’s), Joseph Cervetto (Ashgrove), Sean Green (Ashgrove), Harlem Faalafi (Padua)

ROUND FIVE

St Peters v Villanova

St Patrick’s v Iona

Padua v St Laurence’s

Marist v St Edmund’s