TAS First XV rugby latest: St Paul’s fightback, Ormiston blockbuster
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: St Paul’s School marched to its first win of the season while Ormiston played out a blockbuster with JPC in round 3 action.-
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St Paul’s School fullback Liam Payne scored a sensational last minute try as two revitalised teams played out an entering round 3 clash won by Saints over WestMAC.
The Saints marched to their first win of the season, with fullback Liam Payne and five-eight Kasey Camilleri the firing pins.
Saints, with flanker Mitche Merrett outstanding, won 33-29, surviving a fabulous WestMAC fightback which saw the Ipswich school surge to the lead- late.
But after leading 26-7 at halftime, WestMAC - inspired by flanker Connor Purvey and fullback Sam Fothergill, stormed back into contention with two quick tries to set up a thrilling finish.
Payne accepted a pass from his skipper Kasey Camilleri on the right side to run 55m.
He looked a bit like famous old boy Ben Tune as he weaved down field, It was a special player.
In another match, Canterbury beat CHAC 62-nil. More on that game below.
TAS RUGBY ROUND 2 TEAM OF THE WEEK
But at St Paul’s it was all action as WestMAC surged from behind to almost win.
Another rolling maul finish and it was another try and WestMAC looked set to overrun the home side who had scored 26 unanswered points in the first half. A sensational sideline conversion from WestMAC’s captain Tom Mitchie then added to his team’s pursuit of the lead.
WestMAC with plenty of go forward and an ace rolling maul, who could cause a surprise this season.
Earlier, WestMAC drew first blood after the platform for a pick and drive assault was laid by inside centre Jake Isarasena.
This led to a vigorous forward effort by the visitors which netted a try.
But St Paul’s responded with class, as fullback Liam Payne produced a withering 45m solo run to the line.
St Paul’s five eight Kasey Camilleri was also a spark as the home side looked to move the ball wide of their rivals, even from inside the 22m zone.
But St Paul’s were no one trick ponies and featured plenty of forward grunt as well. Clean line out ball on attack lead to a fluent rolling maul that lead to Tanner Baker scoring.
Sharp shooter Camilleri added the extras and it was 14-7 to St Paul’s.
No.10 Camilleri was fast on his feet, jinking and propping and his creative skills led to a half chance for outside centre Jake Storer who finished the move in style. Camilleri kept kicking the conversions and it was 21-7.
WestMAC had been reduced to 14 men in this time,
St Paul’s would have scored a few minutes earlier but WestMAC lock Toby Padgen stormed across in cover defence to topple winger Hudson McCarthy.
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On the cusp of halftime Payne almost engineered another try for St Paul’s, only for halfback JR Marges to be run down. But it mattered little, with lock Clancy Johnston-Burns plunging over in the corner after crabbing across the field from a set piece. It was 26-7 at halftime.
At CHAC, Canterbury rolled to a 62-nil win over the home side, with coach Joshua Afu pleased with the execution.
“We played to the structures that we wanted to play,’’ he said.
He said his fullback, hooker and winger Broadbent all did well, in what was “alot better performance this week than last week’’.
CHAC coach Tyson Schneider said his No.8 Lachlan Timms was his best player.
At Ormiston College, the Redbacks relished their second consecutive home game of the year with a comprehensive 33-0 victory over a valiant John Paul College side.
Making it two clean sheets in a row in front of the home crowd, Ormiston also retained the Headmasters Cup.
Spearheaded by second year halfback Lucas Wood, Ormiston were able to repel JPC’s attacking raids and turn possession into points clinically.
Ormiston coach Kris Peterman said “We’re stoked about keeping them to nothing.”
He said it was pleasing to pull away after a tight first half.
“We did think we had them across the park. They had some talented guys and big boys that were physically intimidating.”
At the front of Peterson’s mind would’ve been No.8 Kingbenjamin Swirling and lock Nate Levitt who carried the load tremendously.
And in the backline, once again Year 10 fullback DJ Gray was an excitement machine breaking tackles with ease.
Peterman said one of the greatest strengths of the Ormiston program was that everyone knew their role.
He jokingly said his side was not dissimilar to Melbourne storm in that way.
“Everyone knows their job. A union version of the Storm in that everyone stays in their lane and does what they do best. No one plays too off script,” he said.
When asked about scrum half ace Lucas Wood, Peterman had no shortage of praise.
“Last year he (Wood) was a premier passer in the competition, this year he’s playmaking, kicking, running and communicating.
“He’s really stepped up as vice and he put the team on his on the back.
“ I Couldn’t be more impressed with him.”
Peterman said his No.8 Angus Melville and No.7 Renier Welgemoed stood the tallest in terms of returning serve of physicality.
“They stood up and gave it back.
“We didn’t unleash him but Sam west was special.
“Very hard to go get a hold of. A Year 11 with incredible acceleration and strong through the hips.
“Busting through contact and finding holes.”
Ormiston played a very complete game, scoring two tries on either side of the half.
It would come as no surprise that they took out last year’s premiership. And on today’s performance, they look even better than they did when star flyhalf Laif Williams was leading them around the park.
First to cross was a Cheslin Kolbe built Sam West, Ormiston’s headgeared fullback who sliced through the line with his sidestep.
It was a terrific solo try which rewarded his teammates for their efforts. Whether it was Riley O’Brien who was winning ball at the breakdown or Daniel Body whose crash ball running in the No.12 jersey bruised the defensive line.
Flanker Renier Welgemoad pounced next with a blindside raid. He spotted space, thought quickly and snapped up the opportunity, strolling over untouched much time the crowds delight.
West, Welgemoed, Wood and reserve Eduard Welgemoed crossed to make it 33-0.
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