Prop Jett Tupou scored three tries in Villa-Laurie’s classic, while top contenders Padua and Iona also featured
AIC First XIII rugby league featured a three try performance by an unlikely Villa hero, while top title contenders Iona and Padua found plenty of points after round 1.
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Villanova College hooker Hudson Bishop conjured up the play of the game to create a match winning moment for his three try hero prop, Jett Tupou, in an AIC season opening thriller against St Laurence’s College.
ON a day which saw title contenders Iona and Padua win well against Marist and St Edmund’s respectfully, Villanova and St Laurence’s put on an edge of your seat performance.
Villa won 24-22, defying an inspired second half performance from Laurie’s halfback Harry Taylor to twice come from behind after initially leading 12-4 at halftime.
Tupou scored two barge over tries from the ruck, but his third try proved the most decisive when he carted Villa to the front with just minutes remaining.
He latched onto a superlative ball from the ruck which had been torpedoed in his direction from hooker Bishop to score.
With Bishop’s long, flat pass from the ruck, Tupou found himself into a channel which led directly to the tryline.
Villanova winger Sean Kelly converted the try and Villa were able to hang on and win, 24-22.
It was a wonderful match which saw St Laurence’s recover from a 12-nil deficit to look likely winners.
Black and Gold No. 7 Taylor emerged from hibernation to almost run his side to victory.
Taylor took on the line in the second half, running on multiple occasions before landing the jackpot and scoring a try which elevated his team to a 16-12 advantage.
It was Taylor’s running game which also provided momentum for St Laurence’s final try, scored by hooker Edwards.
At that point Laurie’s looked winners, but Bishop’s stunning ball from the ruck and Tupou’s collection of his pass took the home side ahead.
The game featured several try saving tackles, including by Villa fullback Darcy Kerr and wingers Sean Kelly and Taj Graham, while Laurie’s centre Ahearn also chased down a runaway Kelly.
PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Villanova v St Laurence’s
Jett Tupou (Villa)
Aside from crossing for three tries, two of which were dummy half dive over efforts, Tupou led his side magnificently with his powerful runs.
It is no coincidence Villa were able to arrest St Laurence’s second half resurgence when he returned for his second stint alongside fellow starting prop Sam Binney.
Sam Binney (Villa)
Although he finished the game in the sin bin after collecting St Laurence’s Harry Taylor, Binney was Tupuo’s partner in crime with his middle of the field charges.
He did exactly what was expected of him - run straight and hard - and he did it very well.
Harry Taylor (St Laurence’s)
Taylor was quiet in the first half but zoomed to life in the second period of play and almost inspired his side to victory. When he took the line on, he was extremely dangerous.
Justin Wilson (St Laurence’s)
Wilson matched the effort of his rivals props, Binney and Tupou, and played big minutes in the middle.
He played well when St Laurence’s were bailing water in the first half and continued to be strong in the second half.
Gio Koopu (St Laurence’s)
Playing centre Koopu hurt in defence and carried the ball with vim and vigour. His aggression of both sides of the ball would have had Villa’s left side defence sore and sorry by the end of the match,
Special mentions: Jack Tignani (St Laurence’s), Connor McLaughlin (St Laurence’s), Taj Graham (Villa), Joseph Foster (Villa), Ewan Ebbrington (Villa).
Iona College 26 defeated Ashgrove 0
Cooper Benvenuti (Iona)
The mobile middle man entered the fray with his engine roaring and he maintained the rage for the opening 45 minutes.
His performance included a try.
Daniel Cash (Iona)
Playing on the edge, the tough as teak second rower controlled the ruck with his strength.
Corde Boah and Luke Coffey (Iona)
The wingers had big matches for their side, with Boah’s yardage from the ruck rewarded with a try, while Coffey finished with aplomb, crossing twice.
Seb Gardiner (Ashgrove)
Of course Ashgrove’s Gardiner produced a typically strong all of nothing performance, running dam busting lines without fear of self preservation and tackling stoutly.
Conor Quinn (Iona)
A seasoned campaigner, Quinn was a handful from centre and made several breaks while also assisting with tries.
Padua 42 defeated St Edmund’s 14
Damon Humphrys (Padua)
The five-eight ace orchestrated his team’s performance both by hand and by foot.
He was a class above with long, raking kicks that were crucial on a wet afternoon.
Jack Beuer (St Edmund’s)
He was tough on both sides of the ball, aggressive in defence and strong with his carries. He was Eddie’s best player.
Harrison Studley (Padua)
Studley played almost the entire match in the middle, a huge effort on a wet day against gritty opponents defending their homelands at Tivoli.
He tackled himself to a standstill in the middle before cramps got the better of him five minutes from the end.
Harry Walsh (Padua)
When the heavens opened Padua needed a middle forward to own the centre of the ruck, and Walsh did this with distinction.
Harry Vidler (St Edmund’s)
Vidler also had a good game and finished with two tries, running hard and doing his best in defence to quell the dangerous Padua side.
Originally published as Prop Jett Tupou scored three tries in Villa-Laurie’s classic, while top contenders Padua and Iona also featured
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