Rugby News

On Thursday, 22 March, Year 9-10 students took part in a Rugby competition in Wyndham Vale.

Boys

In the first game against The Grange, the boys stepped on to the pitch and showed how their dedication and commitment to weeks of training had brought them together as a team.  The first try came very quickly as Nilly Nili found a gap in the line of defence and ran through to begin the scoring. 

Before long, The Grange started scoring tries and despite the brilliant efforts by EJ Vaiusu who tackled three players to the ground in quick succession, the back line weren’t quite able to stop the opposition getting through  Ben Toeva and Laveni Ierome continued the valiant efforts in defence and stopped a number of tries being scored.

Unfortunately, by the end of the game The Grange had stretched their lead to 5-1. 

Man of the match: EJ Vaiusu

After a positive team talk led by Antonio Masina, and reflection upon their success in the first game, Chris Analei Tauvaga led the team back out to face their next opponents Braybrook Secondary College.  There were a number of breaks down the line for the St Albans’ boys, and they almost scored a number of times, before Ben Toeava saw OJ SIgano with plenty of space and passed out to him on the wing.  Too fast for the opposition to catch, OJ made a break for the line and soon scored our first try of the game.

At half time, the scores were level, but Braybrook were more rejuvenated by the rest and were able to score two more tries before the end of the game.  Final score: 3-1 Braybrook.

Man of the match: Ben Toeava

Game three saw the team taking on Springside Secondary College, and the boys were fired up from the whistle.  Opening the score very quickly, the boys soon settled into a rhythm with Ben Toeava, Laveni Ierome and Anton Masina scoring in quick succession.  Unstoppable in spite of several attempts to tackle him, Laveni Ierome scored two more tries.  EJ Vaiusu then scored his first try of the day having worked so hard in defence all day.  Nilly Nili and Anton Masina added a few more to the score line and the boys left the field victorious after a long day.

Final score: 8-1 St Albans.

Man of the match: Laveni Ierome

Girls

The Year 9 and 10 girls entered the U16 competition for the first time this year and proved they were more than up to the challenge.

In the first game against Melton Secondary College, they found themselves behind by one try fairly early in the game.  Determined not to lose their first match, however, Lani Afiafi rallied the team and was soon able to draw the scores level.  Before long, Fahina Ofahengaue made a break through the Melton defensive line to score the winning try.  Final score: 2-1 St Albans.

Lady of the match: Lani Afiafi

Confident after their first win, the girls were eager to step back on to the pitch against Manor Lakes Secondary College in what was expected to be the toughest match of the day.  There wasn’t long to wait before Katarina Pologa opened the scoring after making a number of challenging tackles that stopped the Manor Lakes team from getting close to their try line.  Fika Pinomi and Lani Afiafi soon added to the score line, and in the final seconds of the game, Atalasa Misa spotted a gap in the Manor Lakes back line and was able to place the ball down just before the whistle was blown.

Final score: 4-0 St Albans.

Lady of the match: Katarina Pologa

In the third game, Paris Lia’i was tackeld to the ground fairly early on by the Mount Ridley Secondary College team and had to leave the pitch.  Thankfully, she was ok but not able to play for the remainder of the games.  Serena Tuifei also took a nasty knock which left the girls with no reserves on their bench.  Determined not to let this get them down, Rebecca Auali’I continued to make a number of tackles to try and slow the Mount Ridley team down as they pushed up the pitch.  Katarina Pologa’s try kept the girls hopeful, but unfortunately the opposition were too strong and left the pitch victorious 6-1.

Lady of the match: Rebecca Auali’i

For the final game, the girls came up against Victoria University Secondary College, eager to finish the final game of the day as victors.  Lani soon led the girls in a well-rehearsed play and the ball was passed out to Katarina Pologa who scored quickly.  Isa Isaako then maintained her ground in spite of a number of strong tackles, and was able to open up some space for Knowledge Sialoga to break through and score the second try of the game.  VUSC soon drew level and at half time the scores remained equal.  Determined not to let the other team win, Knowledge Sialoga pushed through the defence and at the last minute passed out to Lani Afiafi who made the final equalizing try of the game.

Final score: 3-3

Lady of the match: Knowledge Sialoga