Silverstream suppress sloppy Wellington College

Above and header: St Pat’s Silverstream made plenty of line breaks against a sloppy Wellington College. PHOTO: College Sport Media.

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream have extended their Premiership winning streak to 25 consecutive games, successfully retaining the Ken Gray Memorial Trophy 30-12 against Wellington College.

Silverstream shot to a 17-0 lead after eight minutes and were never in serious danger of being surpassed, despite incurring the wrath of the visiting Japanese referee in the second-half.

Silverstream split the kickoff and the hosts mounted a promising initial attack. However successive penalties enabled Silverstream first-five Lachie Forbes to clear and then kick a 25-metre penalty goal.

Wellington were guilty of missing too many first up tackles and continuity combined with aggression led to the opening try for Silverstream loosehead Julius Masoe.

Forbes’ tactical kicking was vastly superior to his opposite, frequently anchoring Wellington inside their own 22. Wellington’s decision making under pressure was often poor and a botched clearance led to a penalty try.

A shallow and brazen chip was intercepted on the full by Silverstream who kicked into vacant space. Halfback Rory Woolett led the pursuit for possession and was pushed over in a likely scoring position.

Wellington’s lineout showed plenty of push shortly after the restart, swarming over from a maul to close the gap to 17-5.

Silverstream wing Connor Scannell-Houghton was bundled out close to the corner flag while a forwards fumble saw some reprieve for Wellington.

Tony Solomona was in no mood for mercy though. Ten minutes before the interval the centre fended off his marker and touched down for try number three.

Down 24-5 at halftime, Wellington swiftly responded to the desperate pleas of their coaches by crossing for a try. Jerome Otutaha batted through traffic close to the posts to half the deficit.

Silverstream were lucky not to be reduced in numbers as their discipline wavered. The harder Wellington tired, the worse things seemed to get.

With 15 minutes remaining Silverstream extended the lead to 27-12 with a Woolett penalty. Openside Mitch Southall won a textbook turnover padlocking a forlorn and fallen attacker.

Forbes, arguably the man of the match, appropriately had the last say by slotting another penalty from 15-metres out.

Blindside Jacob Beattie was an unsung hero for Silverstream toiling relentlessly and smartly.

For Wellington openside Ridge Studd, lock James Winter with a mashed nose and subs Otutaha and Koloamatangi Aisake were standouts.

Silverstream have won six of the last seven traditional fixtures against Wellington.

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream v Wellington College:

Played: 88

Silverstream Won: 49

Wellington Won: 32

Draws: 7

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If conditions were bad at Wellington College, they were downright atrocious when Aotea College and Porirua College met in their Coed Cup match after school. On their home field Aotea produced an exhibition of wet weather rugby to almost completely shut out their Premier 2 opponents, running in nine tries to one in a 57-5 win. Aotea dominated possession and territory, and kicked well, and punished Porirua’s mistakes. Loose forwards Francis Visesio and Sia Ulugia-Mao had enormous games, and young midfielder Shawn Wilson carried well. Despite their struggles Porirua toiled hard and eventually crossed on fulltime through No.8 Jabez Peniata.

Two other Wellington schools were also in action today, both in the Hawke’s Bay against Napier Boys’ High School. Scots College produced an eye-popping 70-17 result, while the Hutt Valley High School 1st XV took on Napier’s 2nd XV.

The Premiership First XV rugby continues this Saturday, with Scots College hosting Kapiti College, St Pat’s Town hosting Aotea College, Rongotai College hosting Hutt International Boys’ School and Wairarapa College and St Bernard’s College meeting over the hill.