Feilding High School win Hurricanes First XV final, a win and a loss for Wellington teams in Napier

Feilding High School tighthead prop Dane Johnston celebrates what would be the match-winning try with Feilding’s supporters behind the in-goal midway through the second half. Photo: Steven White.

• By Steven White & Scott MacLean

UPDATED: Feilding High School will be representing the Hurricanes region at next weekend’s Top 4 NZSS First XV tournament after beating Palmerston North Boys’ High School 15-14 in the Hurricanes final this afternoon.

There were scenes of joy on fulltime for Feilding High School’s players and a large contingent of supporters after their win at Massey University.

Feilding came back from 3-14 down at halftime to score two second half tries. The first of these saw openside flanker Marshall Buckman dive over a ruck close to the line to score after a series of sustained attacking play inside Palmerston North’s 22 and a cross-kick by first five Tyrese Tane. The conversion was successful and it was 14-10.

Then with about 15 minutes to play, Feilding scored their winning try through tighthead prop Dane Johnston following more sustained pressure and a quick tap penalty close to the line. That was the last scoring of the game and Feilding held on to win in a spirited and gutsy performance.

Palmerston North had made a fast start, scoring early through openside flanker Viliamo Rongokea-Tupou.

They then scored their second converted try of the afternoon to first-five Jamie Viljoen after about 25 minutes following a lineout centre field on the far side and runs up into the dangerzone by fullback Hunter Kennedy and left wing Joseph Ratcliffe.

Late in the first half, Feilding set their blueprint for much of their play in the second with a strong period in possession on attack, but outstanding Palmerston North defence kept them out.

More on the Top 4 below.

 Representative

The Wellington U19s have one hand on the Hurricanes region Central Region Shield after beating the Hawke’s Bay U19s 22-10 in Napier this afternoon.

After trailing 5-7 at halftime, Wellington came back outscore the Hawke’s Bay team three tries to one in the second spell. Wellington’s four tries in the game were scored by openisde flanker Braith Ingram, left wing Jacob Kennedy, second five Ietitaia Campbell and right wing Emery McGill. First five Josh Leafa-Paki added one conversion.

Having defeated the Manawatu U19s last weekend, Wellington will just need to defeat the Hurricanes Heartland U20s selection next Saturday to retain the trophy.

In the other game, Manawatu defeated the  Hurricanes Heartland U20s 31-0 in Pahiatua.

Also in Napier, the Wellington Centurions lost 45-63 to the Hawke’s Bay Saracens.

The Centurions led 26-21 at halftime, after making a fast start with two early tries only for Hawke’s Bay to reply with two of their own to lock it up.

The Centurions missed other opportunities in the first half, including being held up over the line, while the home side scored a 70 metre intercept just before halftime.

The teams scored a try apiece early in the second half, but Hawke’s Bay pulled clear with back-to-back tries.

Scorers for Centurions Development were Benjamin Tuiomanufili, Ty Poe, Tom Maiava, Harry Press, Aisea Mafile’o, Carlos Hihi and Ethan Webster-Nonu. Malo Tevita-Manuao (4) and Tom Maiava (1) kicked their conversions.

Two matches were blanket cancelled today, the Manawatu B v Wellington Samoans and the Wellington Pride Development and Manawatu Cyclones Development game. Both were scheduled for Palmerston North but their grounds were closed.

The representative rugby continues tomorrow for Wellington and Manawatu teams. The Wellington Pride host North Harbour at Jerry Collins Stadium at 12.35pm and the Wellington Lions travel to Rangiora to face Canterbury at 2.05pm. The Manawatu Cyclones  are away today playing Tasman at 4.35pm and the Turbos host Hawke’s Bay at 4.35pm.

Top 4 and college

Kelston Boys’ High School, Hamilton Boys’ High School, and Feilding High School have joined Nelson College after today’s remaining regional finals.

Kelston were too good for Westlake Boys in the Blues final, leading 17-6 at the break before kicking away to win 36-13. Hamilton prevailed at home in the Chiefs decider, triumphing 41-15 over Rotorua Boys, while Feilding – perennial contenders in the currently defunct Co-ed Schools section – will play in the main game for the first time after their 15-14 win over Palmerston North Boys’ High School (as described above).

In two derby college games today, Upper Hutt College beat Heretaunga College 22-17 and Paraparaumu College defeated Kapiti College 88-10 in their annual clash for the Rose Bowl. Sticking with that same theme, Wairarapa College beat Rathkeale College 33-19 earlier in the week.

Heartland Championship

Wairarapa-Bush remain rooted to the bottom of the Heartland Championship table after being mauled 69-19 at home on the Memorial Park turf by North Otago. With the kick-off at 1pm because of the visitors flight back south, North Otago started like they wanted plenty of time in the Koru Lounge before boarding and leaped out to a 24-0 lead inside the first quarter as they punished the home side, with the loudest group inside the park being Turbine and his mates from the North Otago supporters club. The score reached 38-0 before Wai-Bush finally crossed, but North Otago would add another before the break.

Bush coach Reece Robinson’s message was brief given how quickly he resumed his seat in the stand, but despite making five halftime changes there was little difference with the score blowing out to 62-5. The hosts scored twice to get some positivity out of the day, but the visitors had the final say. Wai-Bush were inexcusably poor and found wanting on both defence and with the little ball they had. Recent Southland pivot Greg Dyer orchestrated the show for the visitors with two tries and seven conversions in a personal haul of 24 points.

It was a far better day for Horowhenua-Kapiti, taking a 27-26 win over West Coast in Greymouth. Champions South Canterbury were 41-19 winners over neighbours Mid-Canterbury, and East Coast took home bragging rights over Poverty Bay by 23-17. Whanganui thrashed Buller 91-7, and Thames Valley will look to join South Canterbury when they visit King Country later this evening