Marist claim convincing win in Round 1 of AIC

Marist College Ashgrove put their hand up as the team to beat in Round 1 of the 2016 Associated Independent Colleges (AIC) Rugby season, accounting for St. Edmund’s College 62-nil in the match of round at Tivoli Sports fields.

The AIC Rugby season kicked off last weekend, with all eight teams looking to notch a win in their first outing. Marist came into the match of round after a strong pre-season, knocking off Iona College 87-0 in their final trial game.

The first few minutes were a tight tussle, with both teams looking to assert themselves, using their kicking games to gain territory. However, it was Marist who would be first to score, going over off a nice set piece move through winger Tyson Cooper. Ben Bucknell was unsuccessful with the conversion, leaving Marist ahead 5-0 after 10 minutes.

Eddies then enjoyed a small spell of possession, with Joshua Paynter setting the tone with with a number of strong carries. Eddies lost their momentum not long after, when Paynter was yellow carded for taking out Bucknell in mid air, leaving the home side with14 men on field.

Marist capitalised on their advantage scoring three tries in quick succession. Cooper bagged another two, while fellow winger Callum McCarthy and centre Ben Loff also crossed the chalk, putting Marist ahead 29-nil as the two teams headed into the sheds at half-time.

Ashgrove started the second half strongly, scoring immediately after the kick off with McCarthy claiming his second. In the 41st minute, Marist scored their sixth try, with Charlie Renouf dotting down under the posts. Cooper slotted the conversion, extending Marists’ lead to 41-0 with 29 minutes remaining.

Shortly after, Marist flyhalf Jaz Day, sold two defenders with a huge dummy in the mid-field, linking up with his halves partner Max Midgley to score from 50 metres out.

The Ashgrove side scored a further two tries late in the match, resulting in a 63-nil win over St. Edmunds.

Marist head coach Jon Fitzgerald said: “When we got our systems in place, and worked to our strengths, it seemed to work for us well. I thought St. Edmunds showed a lot of heart and passion, and full credit goes to them.”

In other results around the AIC competition, St. Patrick’s College secured a 29-nil win over Iona, St. Peters accounted for Villanova 64-5 and Padua started their season strong with a convincing home win over St. Laurence’s 36-5.