Wins for Wellington College and Napier BHS in midweek First XV traditionals

By Steven White & Ian Knightly

Huge defence and big heart have given Wellington College a 31-18 victory over St Pat’s Town in their 136^th First XV traditional this afternoon.

In perfect conditions at Evans Bay Park, Wellington College won four tries to two, to break a three-year duck in their annual Centennial Shield match, which also doubled as the opening match of the Wellington First XV premiership competition.

First-five Stanley Solomon about to get the 136th Wellington College – St Pat’s traditional fixture underway.

Wellington College found themselves down 5-0 after 45 seconds – St Pat’s Town making a dream start from the opening kickoff by working their way up-field and second five Junior Telea putting a kick through for fullback Francis Mettrick to score.

Wellington College quickly regrouped and made the first few of a number of breakdown turnovers which would prove telling in their victory.

In the 15^th minute, Wellington College’s first proper foray into the opposition 22 soon resulted in their opening try to hooker Caleb Stanley. From a lineout in the corner, they swung the ball both ways across the field and weight of numbers saw Stanley score. Fullback Jacob Waikari-Jones slotted the conversion.

St Pat’s Town reclaimed the lead through a penalty to first-five and captain Cam Burgess.

Wellington College answered with their second try, this time to Waikari-Jones after good work off the back of the scrum by No 8 Bailee Laurenson-Tupai. Waikari-Jones missed a penalty that could have proven costly but so could have St Pat’s Town’s second try right on the stroke of half time to fullback Mettrick. This was the result of Town’s stronger scrum which forced a wild Wellington College pass and messy clearing attempt. St Pat’s Town led 15-14 at half time.

Wellington College opened the scoring in the second half with a Waikari-Jones penalty.

St Pat’s Town enjoyed a strong period of territory and possession but the visitors’ defence in general play, and their own costly errors, meant that all they could prosper with was a Burgess penalty which put them up 18-17 with about 15 minutes to play.

Wellington College weren’t about to lie down, and their retort was to score their third try 80 seconds after the next re-start. First five-eighth Stanley Solomon fielded a clearing kick in midfield and shot up field towards the 22 and linked with second five Johnny Maiava. Wellington College recycled quickly from the next ruck and swung the ball out to left wing Josh Williams, who linked with No. 8 Laurensen-Tupai who in turn found hooker Stanley who ran around to score under the posts. Stanley’s second try put Wellington College up 24-18.

With 5 minutes to play, Wellington College sealed the game and scored their bonus point try with a similar-style try, this time, going wide from a lineout on the far side near halfway to Williams who once more stretched the defence on the near side and replacement Will Anderson crossed from the next ruck.

There were ecstatic scenes on fulltime with a large contingent of Wellington College supporters celebrating the win with their team.

Over on the artificial pitch, Wellington College beat St Pat’s Town 3-0 in the First XI football match, whilst in the gym St Pat’s Town won the Senior A basketball exchange.

Earlier in the day Napier Boys’ High School beat Scots College 30-15 in their First XV meeting at Strathmore.

Following a fearsome haka (below) Napier made a fast start to the match, with two tries inside the first 10 minutes to lead 12-0, scoring first phase from an attacking scrum and then a 60-metre breakaway try.

Napier remained hot on attack and they could have scored a third try but were held out by desperate Scots defence. In fact, Napier’s centre Bethel Leutele-Malasia was sinbinned for silly play which helped Scots get back into the game and then Scots scored two tries themselves through good bustling play to No 8 Maea Tema Schmidt and hooker Manu Isione. With their tails up, Scots almost scored a third try but were held out, and Napier led 12-10 approaching half time.

Scots College centre Eric Lawson makes a break in the first half against Napier BHS.

Napier had a superior lineout and this facet of the game led to them scoring a third try from 40 metres out right on half time to lead 19-10 at the interval.

Napier increased their lead to 22-10 with an early second half penalty.

Scots roared back into the game with a strong period of possession in front of the goal line, and they came up with their third try from close range attack through the forwards to trail 22-15 with over 20 minutes still to play.

However, Napier’s bench continued the hard work and Napier closed the game out with a penalty and another try.

This was Napier’s third pre-season Super 8 win over Wellington opposition, after also beating Rongotai College 27-0 and St Pat’s Town 29-19.

Meanwhile, in a third school match today, St Pat’s Silverstream Second XV beat Harta Paora First XV 27-7 in a longstanding traditional fixture.

Silverstream proved too quick and strong in the breakdown and were more successful in turning territorial advantage into points. They showed more daring to spread the ball wide and their outside backs took their chances.

For the visitors, hooker Indiana Ratana had an impressive game. Putting in a stoic performance in leading the smaller forward pack.

Special mention should be made about Hato Paora (from Cheltenham, Fielding). The boarding school for Maori boys has a roll of 130 students and fields four rugby teams. An incredible ratio of rugby players to students, probably one of the best in New Zealand.

It’s a bit of a re-build year for the team. Today’s fixture was made harder with having two key players sidelined with injuries.

The school is targeting a top four place in their Manawatu competition. They have a strong traditional programme with seven fixtures diarised for the year. This will include hosting Wellington schools: St Bernard’s College and St Patrick’s (Town). The big test for the team is their game against Te Aute, a fixture they won last year.

The St Pat’s Silverstream U15s won the 15s fixture 17-15.

Action at St Pat’s Silverstream on Wednesday.

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St Pat’s Town – Wellington college last five meetings:

2017: Wellington College 43-17

2018: St Pat’s Town 31-26

2019: St Pat’s Town 22-17

2020: St Pat’s Town 39-19

2021: Wellington College 31-18

Head-to-head:

Played 136

Wellington College wins: 81

St Pat’s Town wins: 47

Draws: 8

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Scots College open their Wellington Premiership title defence this Saturday against Mana College back at home at Strathmore, while Napier Boys’ High School open their Super 8 competition campaign at the Rectory against Gisborne Boys’ High School on 12 June.

Other Wellington Premiership first round matches this Saturday see Hutt International Boys’ School host St Bernard’s College, St Pat’s Silverstream and Aotea College meet in Upper Hutt and Porirua College host Rongotai College.

View the Wellington First XV Premiership draw HERE