Marist College Ashgrove and Villanova College will meet on Saturday in a clash that will have a significant impact on the AIC First XV rugby union premiership.
Both teams are unbeaten after four rounds with Ashgrove extending its perfect defensive record with an 79-0 win over St Edmund’s College while Villanova overcame St Peter’s Lutheran College 52-19.
Saturday’s match at Villanova Park may be a premiership decider. Villanova must find a way through Ashgrove’s defence which is yet to concede a point in an outstanding display of teamwork.
That record was under pressure when St Edmund’s received a penalty within kicking range but the Ipswich team decided to attack in a style that has won them fans across the AIC.
Ashgrove was again well served across the field including by its lightning outside backs. Winger Hunter Dreghorn scored four tries while fullback Floyd Aubrey and centre Campbell Moller also impressed.
Villanova has showcased strong teamwork this season, with the likes of George Stokes and Hamish Muir among six players to score tries in the victory over St Peter’s.
While the scoreline suggested a comfortable Villanova win, St Peter’s played admirably and proved a handful with Clayton Gadd-Weazel scoring two tries.
St Patrick’s College has set up an exciting local derby this Saturday after toppling Iona College in the third round.
St Pat’s won 11-7 in an absorbing clash at Curlew Park, riding flyhalf Connor O’Regan’s penalty goals to overcome a penalty try to tenacious Iona team.
Tim Ryan scored the only try for St Pat’s, which has performed well this season including a narrow loss to St Laurence’s College.
St Pat’s will be cheered on by a large home crowd on Saturday when its annual Back to Shorncliffe day welcomes Padua College.
Padua landed a stunning late try on St Laurence’s last weekend, scoring in the final play of the game for a 19-15 win at Banyo.
Lachlan McKenzie grabbed two tries for Padua while impressive forward Poasi Manu also scored. Darcy Ryan’s two conversions were the difference in the match against St Laurence’s, who had tries to Angus Sawtell and Zane Tuite.
Iona and St Laurence’s meet this weekend for Iona’s annual Old Boys’ Day in another exciting match.
