TAS rugby: Who starred in round three?
TAS First XV rugby round three: Who were the players of the week? The list includes the Ben Tune medallist from St Paul’s, six John Paul College aces and an Australian football whiz from WestMAC.
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John Paul College produced the performance of the round as they claimed a titanic 12-5 Logan derby win over neighbours Canterbury College.
At Canterbury, an entertaining match of rugby unfolded as both teams battled it out for bragging rights.
With the a nil-all deadlock at the main break, JPC went on to win two tries to one to remain undefeated on the season, in a derby that exceeded expectations.
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In other matches, Ormiston headed into its bye week with a 36-7 over St Paul’s on the Pumas Pink Day, while WestMAC continued to improve with a 22-12 success over CHAC.
WestMAC were well led by Australian football gun Toby Pagden, who was of course safe under the high ball.
Following JPC’s stellar performance over Canterbury, six players have been recognised in our story after contributing heavily to the team’s success.
ROUND 3 RESULTS
WESTMAC 22 DEF CHAC 12
JPC 12 DEF CANTERBURY 5
ORMISTON 36 DEF ST PAUL’S 7
TOP ROUND THREE PERFORMERS
Kingbenjamin Swirling (JPC)
In the big games, the big time players stand up.
That was the case on Saturday when the tight-head terror spearheaded a dominant JPC scrum.
Once he forced his opposition into uncontested scrums, Swirling again put them to the sword with his trademark carries which are just so hard to stop.
Wesley Aufai (JPC)
The outstanding flanker was tiresome at the breakdown and with his physical, unrelenting defence which was highlighted by the nil-all halftime score.
DJ Gray (JPC)
Outside centre Gray held down the midfield like a man possessed, and in broken play was a counter attacking whiz.
He was at his best returning the ball, and broke the nil-all deadlock doing just that.
Bishop Rhodes (JPC)
While the usual customers played a big part in JPC’s success, the emerging young guns of the side were equally impressive.
Hooker Bishop Rhodes was one of them, with his tough carries and impenetrable defence a highlight all game.
Tom Cochrane (JPC)
Spark plug Cochrange came off the bench at outside centre and put in a dominant defensive performance which also featured a handful of electric runs.
Was lightning in his return from injury.
Josh Williams (Canterbury)
The Canterbury fullback returned the ball with vigour and exploited the JPC defence when counter attacking.
He took his opportunities.
Leo Price (JPC)
Price brought the physicality from the first whistle, the flanker showing some expert level jackling at the breakdown as he helped keep the balance of possession in his team’s favour.
In what was a great game of rugby, his efforts at the breakdown were monumental in JPC’s pursuit of victory.
Harrison Dhu (Ormiston)
It was only a matter of time before big tight-head Harrison Dhu played out a huge performance for Ormiston.
On Saturday he enjoyed his best showing of the season thus far, his strong carries, leadership and work rate steering the forward pack wonderfully.
Eduard Welgemoed (Ormiston)
Welgemoed did the damage for Ormiston, crashing over for three tries.
The Year 11 outside centre was deadly in the wide channels, and was at his best in open space where he could run wild.
Kody Fisher (Ormiston)
Ormiston open side flanker Kody Fisher resembled an edge forward in rugby league with his damaging wide running.
In a workmanlike performance, Fisher did his work efficiently, carrying the ball, defending strong, contesting breakdowns, making no errors in the process.
Ollie Rauchle (St Paul’s)
Largely responsible for the Pumas positive showing was Ben Tune medallist Rauchle, a towering forward who stood out in classy Pink Day kit.
He was everywhere, and had Ormiston reeling at times as he helped spearhead the Pumas pack towards their goal line.
Joseph Schmalkuchen (WestMAC)
Year 11 No.8 Joseph Schmalkuchen added a huge boost to the WestMAC pack after last year plying his trade at IGS.
The big No.8 was powerful through contact after marching his side upfield with his carries.
In the breakdown he was a menace and on defence no one got past him.
Toby Pagden (WestMAC)
Lock Pagden was a lineout target who worked his backside off across the park and on defence.
He was excellent under the high ball and his support running must have pleased the coaching staff.
Yaret Ziyambe (WestMAC)
Pacy winger Ziyambe dotted down two tries in a close encounter with CHAC, one of them a classy 15m dash where he beat a couple defenders and powered over to score.
He had a touch of class in his starting debut and has cemented his spot on the wing after showing a turn of speed and a step.
Joey Hona (CHAC)
Already a lock in our Team of the Season, young gun Hona continued to enhance his reputation with another strong showing in a losing side.
He was one and a half players on attack and in defence, leading from the front at No.8
Carter Mangan (CHAC)
Inside centre Carter Mangan offered plenty in the midfield, helping CHAC charge forward with a handful of line breaks.
Superb hard running by Mangan set up both of CHAC’s tries, highlighting a tremendous return from injury.
ROUND 4 GAMES
CHAC V JPC
ST COLUMBAN’S V CANTERBURY
WESTMAC V ST PAUL’S
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