TAS First XV schoolboy rugby round 4 latest
TAS First XV schoolboy rugby: Ormiston College marched on while St Columban’s thwarted John Paul College in bumper round 4 action. See how the four clashes unfolded.
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At John Paul College, a brilliant team effort from St Columban’s saw the visitors make a 44-5 statement.
Inspired by centre Sam Hoolihan and fullback Eli Ortiz and forward leaders Toby Vinton and Devlyn Nel, the Saints suffocated their rivals in a party-pooping victory on JPC’s Pink Day.
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Celebrated once every two years with Indigenous Round in between, the JPC First XV wore a wonderful pink and white striped jersey and walked onto the playing field accompanied by their mothers, who they later gave a pink rose to in light of Mother’s Day tomorrow.
In what is a great tradition raising awareness for breast cancer and supporting Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), the game was both fair and fiercely competitive. More on that game below.
Meanwhile Canterbury College defeated St John’s 61-7, Ormiston, who celebrated their own Pink Day, marched on with a 45-0 win over WestMAC while a 12-12 Pink Day thriller played out between hosts St Paul’s and CHAC.
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But at John Paul College, proceedings' began quickly after a 40m burst from Columban’s inside centre Sam Hoolihan gave his side a golden opportunity. His centre partner Sebastian Booth dealing the damage after a dummy and step back on his inside undid the defensive line.
And for the home side, No. 8 Kingbenjamin Swirling continued to ring alarm bells across the competition as the most destructive player when not even a line of defenders could stop him from burrowing his way over off a 5 metre tap.
Moments later, a superb Bailey Atkins carry, not dissimilar to Hoolihan’s, extended Columban’s lead at 12-5.
Columbans struck again to move further in front at 17-5 when a Hoolihan line break led to some magic out of fullback Eli Ortiz.
With a duck-and -weave manoeuvre followed by a tricky flick pass, Ortiz was able to set up hooker Alby Lyons for the try.
Things got worse for the home side when rangy lock Toby Vinton, who had been using his height to take kick-offs cleanly, muscled his way over with a pick-and-drive.
And so Columban’s went into the break with a comfortable 17 point lead (22-5).
Soon enough the lead had ballooned out with three tries in quick succession seeing Columban’s in the clear at 37-5.
Skipper Devlyn Nel scoring a double in the space of five minutes after the half.
The first, easy pickings after fly half Caleb Ritchie’s kick restart put JPC in the danger zone.
Then, an Alby Lyons breakdown win was the catalyst for Nel who gobbled the ball up from the deck and struck away.
Reserve winger Zack Barker crossed next.
With JPC’s main man Swirling off, fullback DJ Gray once again stood up, offering attacking flair and gutsy last-line-defence.
But Columban’s kept firing till the final hooter, their bench players inflicting pain to finish the job.
To put the icing on the cake at 44-5, Cowan Turnbull made a thumping tackle which laid the platform for a feel good Heath Harms try.
At WestMAC, Ormiston ran in seven tries in what coach Kris Peterman said was their best performance of the season.
The Redbacks, fastly firming as premiership favourites, coming away 45-0 winners.
“We played to our structure much better and moved the ball very well.
“We executed the things that will be key for us at the back end of the year.
“Knowing when to go direct and knowing when to go wide,” Peterman said about his side’s focus on decision-making.
Halfback Lucas Wood dazzled again with his playmaking, while No. 8 Angus Melville snared a hat-trick with his ability to bust through the line.
He has a mix of size and speed which makes it easy.
Lock Riley O’Brien and prop Harrison Dhu were clean-out machines, winning ball and playing scrappy.
Hooker Luca De Abreu was busy as well, doing his job and scoring a fantastic try while doing the dirty work.
Meanwhile outside centre Jack Johnston looked like a flanker, standing out with his ability to clean up messy plays and dive on loose balls, the No.13 stripping ball and plucking possession wherever a chance presented itself.
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At St John’s, Canterbury got themselves primed for Ormiston next week with a convincing win.
Coach Josh Afu said his side had things to work on and it was good to not only have a run but to put those things into practise.
He also said it was good to give some new boys opportunities, those who have not seen much action yet this year.
Bailey Murphy at inside centre was brilliant once again, steering his side around extremely well.
But, Afu’s best on ground was flanker Charlie Newton, who toiled and toiled and toiled until his side reaped the rewards.
Afu noted that it wasn’t Newton’s flashy steps or passes but the work rate and effort which made him stand out.
“There was some things we highlighted (from last week) which were okay but needed improvement.
“We want to put together a complete performance next week against Ormiston,” Afu said with his eyes on next week’s giant killing assignment against the Redbacks.
In a gala day at St Paul’s, neither CHAC or the Pumas could be split and as such both sides were left frustrated with a 12-all draw.
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With a healthy home crowd watching on, hardworking flanker Mitchell Merritt was the winner of the Ben Tune medal.
His aggression and effort in general play making it a no-brainer.
It was competitive and even, with the full time score a reflection of the physicality and gutsy defence shown by both teams.
The Andrew Thomas coached Pumas had their chances, but with a lack of execution at the lineouts and some unforgiving defence by CHAC, they were unable to push in front.
And the same could be said about CHAC, who will also rue missed opportunities.
CHAC head coach Tyson Schneider said the efforts of his boys were incredible.
“We’ve had some tough games and to be able to play as well as we did today... we are so proud.
“It’s showing they are starting to get things and that they are moving forward each game.
“We defended a lot. It took a long time for us to have an opportunity to attack. We defended for the first 15-20 minutes. We were defensively very strong,” Schneider said about the grit showed by his side to keep their rivals out.
“Will Harper at inside centre attacked well, with strong carries.
“On the defensive end, fly half and skipper Angus McConville led from the front with his defence” he said.
Bench utility Maison Condon scored to join Harper on the scoresheet.
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