AIC First XV rugby round 4: How it unfolded
A 15-year-old hooker has come alive in the AIC First XV rugby competition while Villanova and a dynamic duo from St Edmund’s have also announced themselves. More from Tuesday’s Rd 4 action here.
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A young hooker was enormous as Villanova won the Battle of the Bayside in some enthralling midweek madness of AIC First XV rugby on Tuesday.
In a rescheduled round 4, Villanova defeated eastside rivals Iona 33-7, with Villa hooker Jett Tupou (two tries) and prop Sam Binney (two tries) leading the way in a fantastic bout at Bottomley Park.
At St Edmund’s College, the home side garnished a special occasion playing on its college grounds with a wire-to-wire 33-19 victory over St Patrick’s College.
Three-season First XV scrumhalf supremo Pat Albion was awarded the Doubles Daley medal for his team’s best player after another stirring performance.
It is Albion’s third time in four games he has taken out the award, a superb start to the season for the school’s best First XI cricketer.
Eddies’ tight-head terror Markus Iselin, a product of Far North Queensland, was outstanding for St Edmund’s, while midfield magicians Harry Vidler and Chad O’Connell combined power with pace to get their side motoring forward.
St Edmund’s led 15-0, but two quick tries on the stroke of half time saw the visitors come within three, trailing by just 15-12.
Leading Paddies’ recovery was hooker Mitch Wallis, 15, whose development as an under age player continued at breakneck speed, while the rise of Eddies lock Seb Kracht continued at pace.
Kracht, a second XV outside back last year, has shifted gears into the second row for 2025 and exceeded any and all expectations.
An incredible athlete, Kracht has been running amok in the wider channels like a rugby league edge forward, busting tackles and bursting down field to create momentum.
But he has also contributed strongly in the set piece where he has been a line out disrupter, while defending strongly. Kracht has given St Edmund’s a physical presence.
When the momentum was with St Edmund’s, Year 10 hooker Wallis returned serve for St Pat’s with two tries in a stunning performance worthy of the Doubles Daley award.
For the second time in 72 hours he was handed the medal after shining at the weekend against Ashgrove. In that game Wallis’ his ferocious scrum efforts, rolling maul performance and running caught the eye.
In pristine conditions at David Wilson Field, Easts, it was a sensational local derby won by Villa over Iona.
Villa’s Wildcats supporters were loud and proud across the duration of the game, spurring on their playing heroes to the First XV’s first win over Iona since 2021.
Villanova established a winning halftime margin of 24-7 before Iona, decimated by injury and concussion, played their way back into the game. They only lost the second half 7-0.
Iona coach Brendan Gabbett said he was so proud of the effort and courage of his side, after monumental fullback Max Bolton was blue carded within the first five minutes.
Iona were forced into a slight panic, given their calming No.15 was not going to steer them around the park.
Villanova, with energy and aggression, turned pressure into points.
The Villa players attacked with their defence to thwart Iona and conceded just one try midway through the first half when outstanding lock Liam Whale scored.
With fly half Lachie Francis, fullback Darcy Kerr, defensive henchman Hudson Bishop (centre) and No.8 Ryder Childs absolutely incredible, Villanova muscled up and moved in.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Villa lock Matt Linnell said when asked about captaining the side.
“Truly. You spend so much time with all of them. It is a privilege being able to lead them out, seeing their energy and their intent to get out there and back each other.
“Clean outs, ruck hits, any tackle, everyone puts in 100 per cent effort. It is a massive pride and honour.”
Villa’s Francis kicked very well under pressure, on one occasion pulling off a 50-22. His scrumhalf Alex Borger did the same to create a try.
Villa’s forwards were also outstanding. Childs, hooker Tupou, prop Binney and boundless flanker Finn Staley were simply superb.
Childs walked himself off the field after a tackle around the bootlaces resulted in a broken cheekbone. Before this, he was exceptional.
It was an inspired derby as Villanova played like they were in front of 50,000 home fans, while visitor Iona dug deep under tremendous duress.
Full marks to the courage of players from both teams in what was a wonderful midweek schoolboy rugby affair.
For Iona, Cooper Benvenuti had a great game at inside centre. He is usually a backrower and rugby league prop, but injury and sickness saw him don jersey No.12.
Wearing No.4 on his back, Whale had a whale of a game. Not once did he let fatigue lower his high standards and efficiency, as he rallied to gain parity for his side.
He would have made more than 20 tackles and alongside Fionn MacCafferkey, Iona were well served. Halfback Keanu Bothma was also exhaustive with his organisation of forward runners and accurate with his passing.
It took a top gun defensive effort by Villa to hold Iona out. When asked what word best encapsulated the 2025 Villa outfit, captain Linnell said “courage”.
“We are just a smaller team, we know we have to put our bodies on the line. We work hard, get off the line fast. We back our fitness and hit hard and low every time,” he said.
Linnell said watching 2023 old boys Ben Addley and Jackson Mooney run and hit hard during their time motivated him to bring his best as captain.
“It’s been a dream... I came from AFL and getting into rugby was a different vibe, culture.
“It suits my body style, and I have loved it ever since. The effort, and getting around each other. It is different in the rugby community at Villanova.”
Originally published as AIC First XV rugby round 4: How it unfolded
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