
- By Adam Julian
Wellington College and Nelson College will meet in the Final of the 99th Quadrangular Tournament that is being played in Christchurch this week.
Thursday’s final follows day one results, which saw Nelson College beat Whanganui Collegiate 43-17 and Wellington College overcome tournament hosts Christ’s College 33-13.
Wellington College held Christ’s College scoreless in the second half to win their way through to the decider.
Christ’s started at a breakneck pace, exposing Wellington on the flanks several times and richly deserved their early 8-0 lead.
First-five Gavin Holder was captavating, with his whippet running game and sweeping passes involving lively wingers Henry Botherway and Yoshi Matsumami.
Matsumami scored the first try and then Holder kicked a penalty to reinforce the early accsendcy. It could have been worse for Wellington. Fullback Navrin Campbell made desperate a try-saver, and a maul ended an an inquiry for no profit.
The first time Christ’s made a major blunder in their own territory Wellington scored, hitting the left side from a scrum for the mullet-man Finn Leighton to sizzle through.
Wellington’s second try was scored by hooker Seb Hopkins, ironically on the wing. He received a pass from prop Hyrum Betham after play had become disjointed and the two bookends turned into magicians.
Christ’s took the lead into halftime with Matsumami’s second try from more expansive attack. Matsumami was one of three Year 11 backs in the Christ’s roster.
This try also came whilst Wellington were a player down in the sin-bin, the first of two yellow cards that would be handed to them.
In the second half, Wellington syringed the speed out of the game and it became more of a grappling struggle. No. 8 Z’Kdeus Schwalger and flanker Drew Falatolu were disruptive at the breakdown and Christ’s began to push passes that were sticking in the first half.
Wellington captain and centre Carisma Faitala set up two tries to right wing Shea Bosher with lighting stepping and offloading.
Christ’s refused to surrender meekly and were held up over the line multiple times as they attempted a comeback at 26-13 down. However their attack lacked the fluidness of the opening 35 minutes even with Wellington down another player with a yellow card.
First-five Archie Sims was a claiming and clinical presence and from a rare run sailed through for the match-winning try. With two minutes remaining he cut through again but was tipped over.

In the earlier game, Nelson College beat Whanganui Collegiate 43-17. The scoreline flattered Whanganui who gave it heaps but ultimately struggled to contain Nelson’s superior size.
Nelson College centre Flynn Simkin scored two tries, while captain and No.8 Tom Perkins and loosehead prop Tawhiao Te Kotua were strong performers. For Whangnaui second five Jonathan Solomona was tidy and tries were scored by winger Angus Allpress from an intercept and No.8 James Olds.
Quadrangular Tournament – some updated records and head-to-head statistics
- Wellington College’s overall record is 110 wins, 71 defeats, 16 draws.
- Wellington College v Christ’s College: 37 wins, 19 defeats, 6 draws.
- Christ’s College overall record is 82 wins, 101 defeats, 14 draws.
- Nelson College’s overall record is 94 wins, 87 defeats, 16 draws.
- Whanganui Collegiate’s overall record is 78 wins, 105 defeats, 14 draws.
- Whanganui Collegiate v Nelson College: 24 wins, 32 defeats, 6 draws.
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