AIC First XV rugby: Padua College v Iona College in round 4

The AIC First XV rugby premiership race took a dramatic turn following a cross river blockbuster between two contenders. Story here, along with important results from the other three games.

Padua College halves Damon Humphrys and Brock Dillon walked out from behind their bruise brothers forward pack to help engineer their team’s dramatic 43-24 win over Iona College.

Humphrys tactical kicking and his teammate’s shoulder to the wheel defence laid the bricks and mortar for a win that keeps unbeaten Padua on course for a round 7 premiership showdown with St Laurence’s College on June 8.

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In other games, Villanova edged out St Edmund’s 26-25, Laurie’s 47-26 beat St Patrick’s while Ashgrove unleashed an 83-point performance against St Peters.

At Banyo, Padua led 19-7 at halftime and 31-7 with 25 minutes remaining before Iona rose from the embers to reduce the margin to 31-24.

But Padua’s Double’s Daley Medal winner, halfback Dillon, confirmed the result when he set up a try for his flanker Finn Dalton and the match was won. Padua inside centre Nate Clark then scored the final try of the game to stretch the margin out again.

Brock Dillon with his Doubles Daley Medal.

What a game it was. Iona College won the opening third of the match and, with a powerhouse scrum led by hooker Fononga Tuitahi and prop Hopo Leota, the side looked on track.

No.2 Tuitahi continued to play the house down in general play across the entire game while Leota led a superior scrumming effort, but slowly Iona’s play deteriorated under pressure from the Padua defence.

Padua hit hard and often, with centre O’Regan outstanding in the midfield and all the Padua forwards contributing, including unsung prop Taavi Upchurch and lock Jacob Moesbergen.

Off the back of that, and a killer kicking game by Humphrys, Padua built momentum leading to some crucial tries.

Halfback Dillon skipped through to plunge his team onto the front foot, leading to No.8 Will Tozer scoring the first of his two tries.

Padua First XV boys after the win - Ross, Walsh, Humphrys, Tozer and Solien.

Then more supreme kicking by Humphrys into the breeze led to field position which enabled a wide shift by Jayden Solien to his winger Will Webster.

The tall, rangy Webster had plenty of work to do, but used his frame to twist over.

Down 19-7 Iona needed to start well in the second half, but instead Padua winger Webster stole second half kick off ball and from there a wave of forward momentum saw captain Will Tozer score his second try.

Jayden Solien. Picture: Jack Turner Photography.

Then came the try of the day created by elite fullback Solien who regathered his own chip and chase to send his side soaring toward a 31-7 advantage.

Iona were down, but not out, and the baysdie boys fought back hard. Imposing prop Leota powered over, followed by Diesel Hauff who, in the process of scoring, put his body on the line and copped a head knock for his troubles.

Inside centre Matt Doherty then blazed over, and with five minutes remaining Iona had got within a converted try of their rivals.

Then came Padua halfback Dillon’s break to create a try and the match was over.

While Dillon deservedly received the Daly Medal for his defence, runs and pinpoint pass to five-eight Humphrys, Humphrys could easily have received it as well.

Padua captain Tozer was mighty, and although prop Callum Rooney was out gunned in the scrum, his work rate was high.

George Noone at hooker joined Upchurch and Moesbergen in the unsung department. It was just a grand team effort by Padua.

Iona's Doubles Daley winger Connor Quinn.

Padua flankers Josh Forrest and Dalton were also tireless, lock Will Ross a ball winner all day and centres Nate Clark and O’Regan defensive henchman.

Iona’s best by the length of the straight was hooker Tuitahi while open flanker Adam Kelly special, and winger Connor Quinn gained the Daley Medal.

Iona fullback Campbell Rolfe was also outstanding with his kicking and retrieving, while prop Leota’s work should not be taken for granted just because he is an Australian schoolboy representative.

Iona celebrate a Second XV try on the way to winning.

Padua coach Andrew Clyne said his team’s defence running into the breeze was excellent in the first half and then after that a couple of quick tries, and another just after the break, was important given the quality of the opposition.

Iona coach Paul Davey said Padua were the better side and his team would rue tries either side of halftime.

Padua Second XV attempt a charge down.

“But the boys showed a lot of courage to get back within seven points.

“And that was probably a fair scoreline (31-24).’’

Davey praised Padua fullback Solien’s attack, Humphrys’ kicking game and “cheeky’’ halfback Dillon, but was in absolute ramptures about his hooker Tuitahi’s performance while he loved the continued development of fullback Rolfe as a rugby fullback.

In the Villanova versus St Edmund’s cliffhanger at Andrew Slack Oval, Villa edged out their rivals 26-25 in a game that went down to the final second.

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Eddies’ had a chance to win the game on the bell, but the conversion attempt swung wide.

It was a match between two contrasting styles of play.

Villanova relied on its dependable forward pack to pave to way to victory, while St Edmund’s celebrated the return of its starting centres with a more expansive game.

In between talented five-eight Tiger Campbell was a two try hero, but also a villain when he offered up an intercept pass which enabled Villa to recapture the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

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Villanova’s push to a “patchy win” was spearheaded by its back row of Max Downie, Will Gallagher and No. 8 Jackson Connor.

Coach Eddie Harris said his team was hot and cold, and let in three blindside tries which needed attention.

For St Edmund’s, halfback Campbell was one of his team’s best as was centre Harry Vidler, reliable Jack Breuer and winger Lachlan Perry.

But arguably Eddies’ best was flanker Will Tatt.

Villanova’s charge was led by breakaway Max Downie, dynamic open side flanker Will Gallagher, while No. 8 Jackson Connor received the Doubles Daley Medal.

“At points we were our own worst enemy, and at points we were unstoppable,’’ reflected St Edmund’s coach Andrew Kirk. “We just need to learn to win and to game manage.’’

Riley Horn.

At Runcorn, St Laurence’s College dealt with a resilient St Patrick’s outfit 47-26, with hooker Huw Griffiths, prop Luka Smith, inside back Finn Mackay and No.8 Ben Davis resembling an awesome foursome dominant like 2018 NBA champions Steph Curry, Klay Thomson, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors.

All four were excellent in their own way.

Ben Davis.

Smith and Griffiths were overwhelming through the middle of the field, Mackay was masterful with his kick, run and pass and Davis delivered everything you want from your modern day No.8.

The big man Davis was a handful, his flick passing, side stepping and pilfering giving St Laurence’s an edge against a game St Patrick’s pack.

The St Patrick's First XV.

St Laurence’s were now four-from-four on the season, with a run home consisting of St Edmund’s, Ashgrove and Padua.

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St Laurence’s No.8 spearhead Ben Davis was in the zone on Saturday, making the St Patrick’s forwards work overtime to bring him to ground.

The headgear wearing big man from the Souths club resembled a fullback late in the first half when he set up an Owen Frost try with a sweet step and flick pass combo which put the home side ahead 26-5 approaching oranges.

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Davis, after hardworking front rowers Luka Smith, Huw Griffiths and Preston O’Brien had laid a platform, put on a mesmerising left to right step which drew in two defenders, before a perfect flick pass found the breadbasket of Frost who just had to put the ball down.

Huw Griffiths scores for St Laurence’s.

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St Laurence’s playmaker Finn Mackay is doing all the right things to earn Queensland Reds Under-18s selection and improve himself in the Reds Tier One Academy.

The left footed goal kicking ace was crafty in a big win for Laurie’s, kicking to corners well to put pressure on the St Patrick’s back three players and drawing and passing with precision to put his hooker Griffiths over.

His booming left boot was effective as per usual, but his silky pop passing and runs of his own were equally impressive.

Finn Mackay from St Laurence’s.

DALY DAZZLES

After conceding three tries in quick succession before half time, the St Patrick’s boys regrouped well to land the first try in the second stanza.

High performing scrum half Jesse Daly dazzled to score a fantastic 50m solo try which rewarded the ball running of Cohen Taylor and pilfering of Liam Inggs.

Daly, who chewed off plenty of metres with his box kicking, dashed away from the ruck base and evaded three defenders with a devastating right to left step to score under the sticks.

It is not the first time this season Daly’s efforts have been noted.

Jesse Daly on the move for St Patrick’s College..

MAGICAL FOOTWORK

The boys from Shorncliffe can step and they have plenty of pace.

While the power game of Laurie’s forwards Davis, James Watson, Liam O’Callaghan and Tom Nadenic was overwhelming, there were mini highlights whenever the St Patrick’s backs backed themselves.

Fullback Jack Poland added a few more highlights to his resume, as did deceptive outside entry Matt Condon who is hard to defend in close quarters.

The St Patrick’s spine also had a need for speedy with wingers Jhye Leis and Henry Armstrong showing a turn of speed with the ball in hand.

Their fly half, Riley Horne, was creative with his ball playing with limited opportunities.

Denzel Savelino tried hard for Paddies.

At Ashgrove, Lachie McCall, Joel Drew, Tom Howard, Xavier Howard and Ben Caughley each bagged two tries in a 13 try barrage won by Ashgrove over St Peters, 83-0.

Lachie McCall was also try bound at Ashgrove.

St Peters were without their hooker Ben Ferguson and fullback whiz Wallace Charlie and Ashgrove were quick to pile on the points against the visitors.

Despite a strong showing from trojan worker Paul Deeb and back row captain Solomone Koroi, Ashgrove’s deadly left edge attack was on song and remained firing through the final whistle.

Nate Roberts on his way to scoring at Ashgrove.

Scoring 13 tries, the home side were elite in broken play and with their offloads.

Nate Clarke scored a try on the wing in his starting debut, while pacy playmaker Nate Roberts firmed as Ashgrove’s permanent fly half with another classy showing where he, Tom Millard and Joel Drew ran rampant in open space.

Last week’s Doubles Daley medallist Ben Caughley continued to make an impact with his long striding, tackle busting carries, as did cheeky scrum half Lachie McCall whose support work was rewarded with two five-pointers.

Originally published as AIC First XV rugby: Padua College v Iona College in round 4