TAS First XV rugby: Premiership showdown confirmed
The TAS First XV schoolboy rugby grand final showdown has been confirmed following a do-or-die clash in round 7 action today. See who booked their finals ticket.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
St Columban’s Colleges’ grand final streak continues, leading to a TAS First XV premiership showdown on Saturday against reigning premiers Ormiston College.
Columban’s beat Canterbury College 15-0 today, setting up a clash with the competition’s only unbeaten side in what is a grand final repeat of last year.
Underdogs Canterbury and the visiting St Columban’s were playing out a do-or-die round 7 blockbuster.
We started really strong,” St Columban’s head of rugby Riley Brown said.
“It was a team effort and we got in the grind. We didn’t give them a chance. We defended really well.
“These boys just have to do the same stuff this week. We don’t want to overhype them. We will build into the week and by Saturday they’ll be ready. There will be a big crowd. The boys will be up for the challenge.
“Our boys love being the underdogs. They’ll come in and be ready to roll next week. We can fix our attack up. I felt the boys worked well together.
Indeed Brown was proud of his side’s defence who “had to grind it out.”
No. 8 and captain Devlyn Nel was a metre eater for Columban’s while front rowers Heath Harms, Alby Lyons and Lachlan Grace were scrum heroes.
In the backs, Eli Ortiz was threatening.
“We didn’t give ourselves the chance,” said Canterbury coach Josh Afu.
“They turned it on and put us under pressure. They were physically better than us and their work over the ball was better than us. They are a good side.
“Some of the boys are feeling the hurt. There’s a lot of pain especially for our Year 12s.... Jack Henry, Bailey Murphy, Jack Addley, Dylan You and Charlie Rowe.
“But it’s good we’ve got a crop of guys that got experience and we have some good Year 10s coming through.”
When asked about how captain Henry led the way this year Afu said he was an inspirational skipper.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve every time he goes out to play. Sometimes he tries to do everything because that’s the type of person he is but he’s been great and he deserves the accolades he’s getting at the moment.
“He’s one of those one in a million type players you get at the school coming through. He’s a special bloke. He’s been a great asset and he’s shown great things to the younger guys.
“The year 12 boys have left a mark on the group moving forward.”
Columban’s crashed over first through winger Sebastian Booth, a line break from centre Caleb Ritchie and a pinpoint spiral pass from fullback Eli Ortiz engineering the try.
A response came in the form of a thumping Bailey Murphy tackle, the Canterbury inside centre dislodging the ball with a tone setter.
It didn’t take long for Columban’s to then turn possession into more points. After an Ortiz touch finder, Alby Lyons and lock Sam Albertson connected on a cheeky lineout move and away Lyons struck down the touchline.
Down 10 points, Canterbury showed their heart. The relentless defensive efforts from prop Tymothy Palupe and outside centre Jack Addley inspiring their teammates with strong front on tackles.
And of course lineout destructor Jack Henry was earning little wins for his side who had their backs against the wall in a first half where they were starved of possession.
The second half was scrappy and hard-fought, but it was Booth who scored the lone try for St Columban’s, a 70th minute dagger capturing a 15-point-victory and booking a finals ticket.
Here’s what the last five years of finals has looked like between Ormiston and Columban’s:
2018- Ormiston victory
2019- St Columban’s victory
2020- Covid
2021- St Columban’s victory
2022- Ormiston victory
The grand final will be a toss of a coin according to Ormiston coach Kris Peterman, whose boys warmed their engines with a 33-0 victory over CHAC today.
No. 8 Angus Melville was immense again, scoring a couple tries in a shortened match.
Hooker Luca De Abreu had a faultless game while prop Harrison Dhu was a determined ball carrier and breakdown winner for Ormiston.
Winger Dylan Penniket continued to build, the blonde haired No. 11 finding his feet at the best possible time for Ormiston supporters.
For CHAC, Isaac Melish matched De Abreu with intensity while flanker Joey Hone stood out.
We wish CHAC’s Will Harper a speedy recovery after the inside centre suffered an injury in today’s clash.
At John Paul College, WestMAC finished their season on a high note with a 18-10 victory.
Playing the majority of the game with 14 players, WestMAC rallied and rallied until they couldn’t rally anymore.
It was a team effort, where they were up against it from the get-g0.
WestMAC coach Ben O’Connell said to his team to take inspiration from the Queensland Maroons during the week, finding a way to win with a man down.
And they did just that with the kicking brilliance of fly half Sam Fothergill and halfback Bruce Joyner earning their team much needed territory.
WestMAC were down 10-8 at half and scoring the match-deciding try was Mason Plummer.
Second rower Toby Pagden led the way on defence, standing up with countless body-on-the-line tackles.
And at St John’s, St Paul’s secured a 58-14 win when turning their dominant defence into points.
The Pumas won ball at the breakdown and in tackles, Reinhard Fick, Callum Campbell and Liam Payne a terrific trio on the day.
Payne, who has had a season to remember, scored four tries.
Jack Storer bagged himself a double as well as the saints served up a feel-good try fest.
AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season after Iona triumph
Who has made the AIC First XIII rugby league Team of the Season following Iona’s premiership confirmation? All is revealed here, along with the best of the best who just missed selection.
BJRU grand finals: Players of the Day includes next-gen Nudgee weapon
BJRU grand finals: See who the Players of the Day were after five stunning Div 1 and 2 deciders between Easts, Logan Saints, Caboolture, Wynnum, Souths, Brothers, and Riverside. The list includes an exciting outside back from Nudgee that set Bottomley Park alight on Sunday.