AIC First XV rugby: St Laurence’s v Ashgrove old boys day blockbuster

AIC First XV rugby old boys day special: The St Laurence’s College v Marist College Ashgrove blockbuster was broken open by a diminutive Ash winger who was simply sensational.

Marist Ashgrove First XV victors, captain Seb Gardiner, No.8 toughman Elliot Aldridge, three try fullback Ollie Millard and elite winger Liam Rice.

Two contrasting worlds collided today at Runcorn, with victors Ashgrove spinning off on a trajectory toward the AIC First XV premiership, while St Laurence’s crashed to earth with a thud.

The enterprising ball in hand play by unbeaten Marist College Ashgrove catapulted the blue and golds to victory in the championship bout by 52-21, turning what loomed as a cliffhanger into a spectacular margin which no one saw coming when the scores were 28-21.

Marist sprinted in three late tries, with fullback Ollie Millard finishing with three tries and hooker Josuha Heinrich a remarkable unblemished goal kicking record of eight from eight.

The pitch black jerseys of the St Laurence’s College forwards initially looked even more menacing than usual on Old Boys Day which recognised the 110th anniversary of the famous Christian Brothers school.

St Laurence's v Marist College Ashgrove. Photography by Stephen Archer

But it was the razzle and dazzle of the Marist side, from prop to fullback and everyone in between, which rose above Laurie’s forward orientated game.

While there were some gigantic performances from respective forwards like Elliot Aldridge, Seb Gardiner (both Ashgrove) and Brad Smith (St Laurence’s), it was the smallest man on the field, Ashgrove winger Liam Rice, who stole the show.

Seriously, he is so diminutive that if he had turned up to Doomben Cup today as a spectator, gate attendants would have waved him through the gates for free thinking he was a jockey in the big race.

Indeed he ran like the Cup winner, Antino, darting here, there and everywhere as his little legs pumped like pistons.

Seb Gardner scores one of his two tries for Ash. Photography by Stephen Archer

Rice, the official Doubles Daley Man of the Match, was twice felled by Laurie’s and finished the game with a facial wound, but the tough winger kept bouncing up and helping inspire his side to victory.

It was an intriguing battle for the three quarters of the game, as Ashgrove backed their upbeat passing game against rushing Laurie’s hit and stick defence.

Ashgrove’s intentions were clear early with a super pass by five-eight Joseph Cervetto released his winger Ted Clarke who found the supporting fullback Millard. Millard finished off the 35m movement to score.

Just as Ash had flagged their intentions, so did Laurie’s with rugged close quarter contact through the forwards, backed by some handy box kicks by halfback Joshua Madden.

While two more tries by Ashgrove’s Captain Courageous, flanker Gardiner, sent his team hurtling to 21 points by halftime, the shadow of Laurie’s forwards continued to stalk their prey and deep into the second half - and it was anyone’s match.

Indeed after another Rice run had created field position for Ashgrove centre Sean Green to score, giving his side a 28-14 break, St Laurence’s struck courtesy of an enterprising chip and chase try by Laurie’s spark plug Harry Taylor which saw his team’s Daley Medallist Gio Koopu score.

Ashgrove winger Ted Clarke. Photography by Stephen Archer

Taylor’s try reduced Ashgrove’s lead to just 28-21 and the result seemed a toss-up.

Then came the play of the game by Marist outside centre Xavier Howard.

From 85m out, Howard turned a counter attacking gamble into a winning hand by the way he calmly unloaded under defensive pressure to his centre partner Green.

Green then simply drew and passed to that man Rice who scurried up field at a great rate of knots.

It was a thrilling piece of running rugby which was ultimately finished by Howard again on the other side of the field. Howard, having helped start the counter, raced 30m to score in the corner.

St Laurence's v Marist College Ashgrove. Photography by Stephen Archer

With Heinrich kicking conversions from everywhere, Ash’s lead of 38-21 was a bridge too far.

Howard’s play at that crucial stage at both ends of the field helped crash down the barn door previously barricaded by Laurie’s defenders.

The service of Ashgrove halves Cervetto and Harrison Graham also played its part, because if their service was slow, their outside men would have been under even more pressure than they were.

Ashgrove flanker James Johnston and prop Archie Searle were also an unsung hero, while No.8 Aldridge played like a prop and a back row forward. It was a tough performance by Aldridge against imposing opponents.

Ash inside centre Green was physical in contact, winger Ted Clarke played his part while fullback Millard was heavily involved.

St Laurence's v Marist College Ashgrove. Photography by Stephen Archer

Laurie’s forwards never gave up, with lightweight second rowers Nadenic and Gainer giving their all, and the robust front three of Luka Smith, Brad Smith and Vin Rix ruthless in tight.

Prop Rix played through injury to try and get his side over the line.

SCORES: Ashgrove 52 (O Millard 3 tries, S Gardiner 2, X Howard,S Green tries; J Heinrich 7 conversion, pen) defeated St Laurence’s 21 (L Smith, B Smith, G Koopu tries; C Mackay 3 convs(.

Villa captain Linnell admired the courage of his side.

Today’s match of the round clash was part of a mid season split round and followed earlier round four games last Tuesday when Villanova defeated Iona, and St Edmund’s College accounted for St Patrick’s.

A fourth round four game between unbeaten Padua and St Peters will be staged next week ahead of all four round five games on May 31.

Today’s result by Ashgrove now swings an even bigger focus onto the round 7 encounter between Padua confront Ashgrove, should both teams remain unbeaten.

ROUND FIVE

St Peters v Villanova

St Patrick’s v Iona

Padua v St Laurence’s

Marist v St Edmund’s

Originally published as AIC First XV rugby: St Laurence’s v Ashgrove old boys day blockbuster