2018 Rugby Gala Day Match Reports

St Patrick’s College 1st XV vs. Scotch College (H) (12/05)

Full time: 71 -“ 0 (HT 21-0)-

Try scorer/s: Chris Tuitea 3, Eddie Sauvao 2, Inoke Siola’a, Koni Wolfgramm, Elijah Kelly, Ethan Jessop, Ryan Yeomans, Josh Wilson-Stanton

Conversion/s: Pou Siola’a (8/10), Chris Tuitea (1/1)

5 -“ Chris Tuitea 4 -“ Inoke Siola’a 3 -“ Ethan Jessop 2 -“ Eddie Sauvao 1 -“ Koni Wolfgramm

Today’s GALA Day was always about so much than the rugby. An a-typical Ballarat winter’s day greeted us all, however at no points were spirits dampened. Six games of rugby were ultimately played across nine hours of entertainment, on two fields. Today delivered on its aim to showcase our rugby program. However, the larger picture today was the opportunity to celebrate the College’s outstanding commitment to our Indigenous heritage and this was in a powerful and poignant way. There are too many people to thank for making today the spectacle it was, although I will acknowledge our opponents, Scotch College and Carey Baptist Grammar School for the manner in which they embraced our celebration.

On with our match report-¦it was a somewhat ill-disciplined and slow start to our 1sts game against Scotch. Moving to Main Oval does pose it challenges and preparations on the day had not been ideal, with an early start and a delay to our kick-off. That said, there is no excuse for repeat infringements that kept Scotch in the game throughout the first half. Scotch have had a difficult start to their season, however they played with a tenacity and belief that suggested this game was not going to be so one-sided. This SPC 1stXV though is cut from a different cloth and, as has been highlighted in previous reports, our platform is built on defence. Inspite of the territory and possession afforded to Scotch in the first half they never threatened our try line -“ and this continues to provide us with much encouragement as the season unfolds. Three tries to us in the first half, coming off strong individual runs, saw a narrow lead at the break, 21-0.

The message at halftime was simple -“ keep it simple!! Improve discipline, attack outside shoulders -“ and do not over elaborate. One of the most pleasing aspects of this year’s squad is their ability to implement instruction and it had an immediate impact on the outcome of the game.-

The forward pack continued to create quick, go-forward ball and our backline showed an efficiency through the simplicity of their enterprise. The second half showcased the attacking abilities of our players, with tries from set play, broken play and turnover ball. The second half was as one-sided as the first half was close -“ and the final score blew out to 71-0 in our favour. It would be clichéd to say so, but the occasion was the -‘winner’ on this day -“ and I again thank all those who made it so.

St Patrick’s College 2nd XV vs. Carey Baptist Grammar School (1stXV) (H) (12/05)

Full time: 12 -“ 5 (HT 12-5)-

Try scorer/s: Max Warren, Jovesa Ravisa

Conversion/s: Jovesa Ravisa (1/2)

5 -“ Bayley Cocking 4 -“ Luke Griffith 3 -“ Bryce Stevens 2 -“ Kayne Councillor 1 -“ Sam Muller

For our 2s it was a welcome return to the field. On the back of a two-week break and an interrupted training schedule our players were eager for the competitiveness that only a fixture can provide. Carey were a young side, somewhat inexperienced, however played with the pride of a 1stXV. Early exchanges were frenetic, end-to-end, and were it not for some inspirational defence from our players, Carey may have had a deserved lead. Our 2s have clear direction -“ they are an integral part of our senior program, vying for a starting position in our 1s -“ and this is not lost on a number of our players. We need to find consistency in our 2s, a composure that is probably lacking at present, however, what we lose in composure we make up for in heart and fight.-

This result was one that reflects us grinding out an outcome, with strong runs and dogged defence. It will be a disrupted season, the nature of the 2ndXV competition creates that, however if we continue to play in the manner in which we did, then we shall certainly win more than we lose -“ and continue to grow the strength in our senior group.

St Patrick’s College U15s vs. Scotch College U15s (H) (12/05)

Full time: 46 -“ 10 (HT 17-5)-

Try scorer/s: Xavier Hayter 3, Quinn Bogers, Escher Eastcott, Sam Tulley, Kye Tonkin, Byron Keene

Conversion/s: Owen Pearse (3/8)

May, 12th marked a special day in the St Patrick’s rugby calendar, it was GALA Day, and coincidentally, also the first game of the season for the St Pats U15s rugby team. Expectations were high, and Scotch College had an unbeaten record of 2-0 going into the match, they were entering the game in great form, and Scotch College would definitely be a challenge for our side. Come game time, our plan was simple, strong defence and forward dominated runs that would get us good go-forward ball in turn giving our backs space to move. This strategy served us well throughout the game, providing strong runs from our forwards and frivolous defence all round, only conceding two tries, both late in their respective halves. This was good performance from a team that has just come together, and one that will hopefully get better as the season progresses. (Coach -“ Kingi Davies)

St Patrick’s College U13s vs. Scotch College U13s (H) (12/05)

Full time: 36 -“ 26 (HT 17-14)-

Try scorer/s: Jordan O’Kane, Zack Cummins, Khy Jess (4)

Conversion/s: Fletcher Stone (3/6)

It was a big day for all sides at St Patricks College, all looking to impress the audience and get a win. The U13 game was the first of many to start the day. From kick off it was evident that both teams were eager to play. St Pats kept the pressure on with some big runs from Xavier Orriss and some good play from our backs. We were the first to put points on the board with Jordan crashing through the defence and over the line. However, Scotch came back and scored twice down the right wing. Spirits remained high and we went back to Scotch’s line to score two tries from Khy Jess before half time (score 17-14).-

To start the second half Khy Jess scored his third try for the team. Scotch came back hard and St Pats defended valiantly within their 22 for 5 minutes before Scotch went over the line for their third try. The second half was a close half with Scotch having more possession and attacking well, however the mighty SPC defence was resolute. After getting possession through hard defence, St Pats went over the line with Zack Cummins running three quarters of the pitch. We finished the game with Khy scoring his fourth try in the closing moments of the game to have the final score 36 -“ 26 to St Pats and a first win for our Yr7 team.-

St Patrick’s College U14s vs. Scotch College U14s (H) (12/05)

Full time: 53-10 (HT 29-5)-

Try scorer/s: Declan Dwyer (2), Muso Vincent (2), Xavier Orriss, Deegan Craig-Peters (3), Jayden Tonks

Conversion/s: Adam Griffith (2/6), Luca Dixon (2/3)

The U14 game was a rather one sided affair with St Patrick’s College coming out on top. St Pats did not take long to put points on the board with Declan going over for the first try, unfortunately the conversion was missed by Luca. After the first try Scotch came back to score their first and only try of the first half, but that did not stop the St Patrick’s boys who came back straight away following a massive run from Deegan Craig-Peters to get St Pats their second try of the game. The try was converted by Adam to bring the score to 12-5. Following the try it turned into the one sided affair with multiple tries coming from the likes of Musso, Declan and Deegan Craig-Peters getting his second. The overall structure in the first half was extremely affective and they took everything that they learned in training and executed it well in the game. This left the half time score at 29-5.-

The second half saw a lot of brilliant rugby being played with all the boys really going out and playing as a team. For the first time this season we saw the boys playing the game we have been wanting them to play. At the start of this half Deegan Craig-Peters scored his third of the game and opened up the flood gates as tries to Jayden, Declan and Musso (his second of the game) followed. This left the final score 53-10 with St Patrick’s coming out strong w