SAINTS SPORTS

Around the Grounds

Bill Turner Competition

The Bill Turner squad arrived at the Cairns Airport for a 6am departure on 9 August, after a successful campaign thus far to earn the opportunity to represent the Northern Queensland region in the State Championship of Bill Turner. The team arrived in Brisbane and travelled to Redcliffe where they would settle into their accommodation and have a light training run before the state semi-final against Kawana Waters the next day. 

Saints had competed in the state finals in 2017 and 2019 but unfortunately fell short in both first day games, and coach Mr McDonough’s message was clear to ensure that the team started well. The team were also provided with an opportunity to speak with recently signed professional footballer and Saints Old Boy Thomas Waddingham. The semi-final against Kawana Waters could not have started better, with Samuel Humphries scoring an incredible goal from the halfway line in the 3rd minute. The lead was doubled when Jonathon Galea used his athleticism to beat his defending and rocket the ball past the goalkeeper with a classy finish. Saints held on for a 2-0 victory against a strong Kawana Waters team that has spent many years developing their football academy. Defenders Zachary Pitts, Dominic Johnson, Samuel Humphries and Oliver Jones were formidable at the back keeping a talented frontline of Kawana scoreless. Patrick Mahar was a clear standout making several one-on-on-save to ensure a Saints victory. 

Not since 1999 had Saints competed in the state championship match with an opportunity to progress to the national finals in September. It was not going to be easy, with Ipswich Grammar having several representative players and recently finishing their GPS school competition. In a hard fort battle, the grand final started with an incredible pace for a schoolboy’s game and neither side was giving an inch. Captain Jack Edwards was dangerous in our attacking areas and Ben Bridgman's powerful shot was the best opportunity of the match. Mr McDonough’s message at halftime was clear, keep winning the battle and we will be rewarded.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game, but the result could not be settled in regulation time and an extra-time golden goal was needed. Saints stepped it up to continue to bring the fight to their strong opponent, unfortunately in the final two minutes of extra-time Ipswich Grammar scored a goal. This was an incredible finish that Patrick Maher nearly stopped. This was the only goal they conceded in a campaign that will be remembered for many years. Congratulations to Mr McDonough, Mr Sorensen, Mr Di Lucchio, and the squad for being crowned QLD runners-up in the Bill Turner Cup.  

These lifelong memories could not be possible without the dedication and effort of the staff who made this possible. Coach Mr McDonough gave up countless hours providing his expertise and training the boys on how to play the game of football and to be good young men in the process. Team manager Jon Sorenson’s organisation of not only the trip away but every match in the process was exceptional. Saints football is in a good place with many students in the squad able to go again in 2024.  

The Bill Turner squad went down 1-0 in extra time yesterday afternoon in a close contest with Ipswich Grammar. It was a tough loss. But second in Queensland is an excellent effort. Well done to Terry and Chris.

First XIII Rugby League

The Saints First XIII team travelled to Townsville to take on competition heavy weights, St Patrick’s College Mackay this week. While in Townsville they toured the North Queensland Cowboys training and high-performance centre. The squad completed a recovery session where they experienced a taste of the life of professional athletes.

Entering the game on the back of an undefeated season, Saints took on the Pool A leaders, St Patrick’s College. Connor Boggian opened the scoring for Saints to get an early 6-0 lead. Possession then swung to St Patrick’s for the remainder of the half, and we conceded three tries in the first half to go into half-time at 16-6 down. Saints came out of the blocks quickly after half-time scoring two consecutive tries to Lachlan Salecich and Lachlan Magill to level the score at 16-all. Both sides got into an arm wrestle with Saints, unfortunately, conceding 12 more points, and ultimately losing the contest 28-16. 

Our First XIII were valiant in defeat. There were moments when our team looked like they might win against our highly fancied opposition with the team’s character gaining many admirers throughout the season. Congratulations on a great inaugural season in the Aaron Payne Cup. The remainder of our young squad will look to improve on these results next season. Thanks to Mr O’Farrell and Mr Tomarchio for your work with the team this season, these results would not have been possible without the time and dedication that they have put into this team.

Year 8 Rugby League

The Year 8 Rugby League Super 4's competition commenced last Wednesday. The two competition heavyweights, Saints and Trinity Bay clashed in Round 1. In a high-quality first half, the lead changed hands multiple times. Saints opened the scoring through Ziggy Groot to lead 4-0 before Trinity Bay hit back. Saints attack looked crisp and defended staunchly. As the back-and-forth nature of the game continued, Trinity Bay scored two tries, including an 8-point try, whilst two tries to Trey Fitzgerald led to a 12-20 score line. A late try to Eli Mauro gave Saints a chance of snatching the game at the death, ultimately going down 18-20, despite scoring 4 tries to 3. The squad showed a lot of promise and will only improve as the season progresses and key team members become available for selection. Thanks to Mr Anderson and Mr Will for your work with the team so far this season.

Elevate - Saints Cyclists

On Sunday the 6th of August, under the soggy skies of Atherton, staff, and parents rode in an 8 hour cross-country mountain bike race called “Elevate”.  While our participation in 2022 was easy to report on, this year was a bit more complex as the parents, students, and myself decided last year to increase the “Family Spirit” of our team in 2023. As such, we had a mix of boys riding in teams, boys and their fathers, staff, and parents riding. Of those who officially rode for Saints, we were able to podium with one 1st place, one 2nd place, and one 3rd place in various categories (see below). Unofficially, we also had a further two 4th places, a staff member with first place (Miss Marijke Keller – SAC Counsellor), a parent with 1st place, another with 2nd, and one boy who rode with his mates from another school with a 2nd place. 

First Place - Finn Slade and Jack Bowe

Second Place - Mason Ryan, Brandon Goode, and Fynn Whiteside

Third Place - Oliver Whiteside & Jamie Kirchner

U14 Rugby Union

The U14 Rugby Union competition has run through the opening 5 weeks of Term 3. Mr Williams and Mr McCarthy have been instrumental in the return of Rugby Union to the school sports calendar with Saints entering two teams in the competition. The St Augustine’s teams have performed admirably throughout the competition against opposition from Redlynch State College and Cairns State High School with many of our players being standouts in the fixtures. The competition concluded in Week 5 with Saints taking on a combined Cairns High and Redlynch College team and scoring a comprehensive 37 – 0 victory. The competition marks the beginning of the Rugby Union season with Rugby 7s, and Senior Rugby Union competitions scheduled for later in the year.  

JSS Round 2 vs St Andrew’s College 

Saints took on St Andrew’s in Round 2 of the JSS competition in Week 3 of Term 3. Saints JSS teams continued their undefeated start to the season, securing four wins and o draw. Our teams take on Cairns SHS in Week 6. Good luck to our teams   

T20 Cricket

The St Augustine's First XI and Junior Cricket teams have been successful in progressing through to the Northern Conference Final. Both teams recently played in the Cairns District finals, with both teams claiming two victories from two matches. 

The Saints Junior team played Tully State High School in their first match and won convincingly by 100 runs. The same was repeated in their second match against Malanda State High.

The Saints Opens team played Good Counsel College, Innisfail in their first match, winning by 80 runs. Their second match was a little closer. Setting a total of 125, Malanda came close to reaching this target but fell short with 102 runs. 

The next and final round will be on the 1 September at Walker Rd Sporting Precinct.

Swimming Carnival

The annual St Augustine’s Swimming Carnival was held last Wednesday at the Woree Pool. It was great to see so many students participating in the day and getting involved in the events and novelties and demonstrating house spirit and sportsmanship. Congratulations to Reginald House for a dominant win and the age champions, below. 

These congratulations must also be extended to all students who placed in events or got in and had a dig as this is what the day is all about. Finally, thank you to the staff who ensured that the day ran seamlessly throughout the day. A special thank you must be extended to Mr Kirk Donaldson and Mrs Tracy Lammert for the time and effort that they put into the carnival. 

TCC Athletics Carnival

St Augustine’s students competed in the annual TCC Interschool Athletics Carnival on Friday, July 28. Saints students competed hard throughout the day with 74 students qualifying for Peninsula trials that are being held on Sunday 20 and Monday 21 August. Congratulations to the students mentioned below on receiving age champion awards. 

Our Sponsors

St Augustine's College expresses our heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors for their generous and unwavering support. Your commitment to our teams has been instrumental in our success, providing us with the necessary resources to excel.