Wellington College too good for St Pat’s Town in season opener and traditional

• By Adam Julian & Steven White
• Photos by Andy McArthur

Wellington First XV Draws & Results: www.collegerugby.co.nz  

For the fourth straight year, Wellington College has won their Premiership season opening Traditional First XV match over St Patrick’s College Town.

Of the 2021-24 victories in this corresponding match, this year’s was the most comprehensive, Wellington College winning 43-10.

Wellington College won six tries to two, and, following an early St Pat’s Town charge-down try, they were in control throughout the contest.

Playing into a cool, stiff southerly wind, Wellington College scored two converted tries and kicked a penalty to lead 17-5 at halftime. Turning with the elements in their favour, they scored another four straight tries before Town scored their second with the final play of the match.

Wellington College’s committed, organised attack set the tone early and they opened the scoring through a penalty to first-five Archie Sims.

There was brief joy for Town after the re-start when blindside flanker Nelson Tiumalu charged down a lazy exit play box kick by Wellington College halfback Bentley Faulkner and the ball sat up kindly for Tiumalu to chase up and score in the corner.

The home side quickly put this behind them, winning a second penalty and opting for the lineout in the corner in front of the chanting terraces. They went to work and captain and lock Harry Law came up with the first try. Sims’ conversion put them up 10-5.

Wellington’s second seven-pointer of the first half came after a free kick from an attacking scrum and a series of thrusts at the line by the forwards, and No. 8 Z’kdeus Schwalger coming up with the score. Schwalger with his flowing mop of air resembles old boys, Chiefs and Naitoa Ah Kuoi. The Year 11 is the son of former All Blacks prop John Schwalger and looks set to become a popular and damaging player.

Town pressed hard on a couple of occasions towards the end of the first half, on one occasion retaining possession in the attacking zone for over two minutes but failed to break through.

The second half started off in similar vein, Town again going close through a period at the right end of the field. But once more, they failed to break through.

Town’s forward effort was honest but with only three Year 13s in the starting eight they lacked some maturity and accuracy.  Loosehead Steven Nunn, hooker Faimalie Tagoai lock Riley Bracewell and reserve Ethan Lepou were brave and industrious.

Eventually Wellington College’s third try came, a concerted period of phase play close to the line from a scrum near Town’s line lead to centre Callum Connell crashing over near the uprights. Sims added the extras to make it 24-5.

Sims himself was Wellington College’s next try scorer, finishing off the try of the match and scoring their bonus point try, after they launched from a lineout near their own 22 line and spread it through the backs. Crossing halfway, left wing Finn Leighton found space up the driveway touchline and hooked a pass inside to halfback Faulkner in support, who was tackled short of the line but got his offload away to Sims who scored under the sticks. He kicked his own conversion and at 31-5 there was no coming back for Town.

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Now with their tails up, the home side soon ran in their fifth try through right wing Shea Boshier, second phase from another attacking scrum inside Town’s 22.

Their sixth and final try was all too easy, stealing a defensive Town lineout, the forwards quickly rallying and replacement prop Te Aria Mani shooting through the ruck over the line to score.

Town never gave up and they had the final say in the match, scoring from a penalty and lineout in the corner and replacement wing Charlie Carter going over unopposed.

Wellington’s win is their largest since a 56-17 triumph in 2012.

St Pat’s Town – Wellington college last five Traditional First XV meetings

• 2020: St Pat’s Town 39-19
• 2021: Wellington College 31-18
• 2022: Wellington College 29-21
• 2023: Wellington College 16-14
• 2024: Wellington College 43-10

Head-to-head:

• Played 139
• Wellington College wins: 84
• St Pat’s Town wins: 47
• Draws: 8

Beginnings: St Pat’s Town opened in June 1885 with a roll of 12 boarders and nine day students. One of the first orders of business was forming a rugby team and they played the Wellington College Second XV twice in 1885 and won both matches.

The following year, 1886, saw the inaugural First XV meeting between the schools and Wellington College won 9-0. They met twice in 1887 and St Pat’s Town won both matches, 14-0 and 1-0, and drew 1-1 in 1888, and thus a rivalry was born.

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The remainder of the opening round of the Wellington First XV Championship starts this Saturday.

The draw in full is here: www.collegerugby.co.nz 

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