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St Pat’s Silverstream hooker Riley Browne on the way to the tryline in the first half. He also helped set up another try in the second half to help end St Pat’s Town’s challenge in their annual midweek traditional.
- By Adam Julian
- Photos by Andy McArthur
St Patrick’s College, Silverstream: 38 (Osaiasi Manu, Elijah Solomona 2, Riley Browne, Fletcher Cooper, Corus Taylor-Lefao, Ashton Streere tries; Fletcher Cooper 4 cons) St Patrick’s College Wellington: 17 (Donncha McNamara-Taele, Ashton Hamer tries; Gia Johnston con, pen, Decodah Silva con) HT: 26-10
St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream extended their unbeaten streak in the Wellington First XV Premiership to 14 consecutive matches with a resounding 38-17 victory over St. Patrick’s College, Wellington at home on Wednesday afternoon.
Silverstream vaulted to a 21-3 lead after just 25 minutes, and despite some promising moments from the visitors, they were never in danger of losing.
The hosts’ forwards effectively stifled their larger opponents with aggressive tackling and quick jackaling. This, combined with Town’s malfunctioning lineout, largely eliminated any advantage in size.
On offence, Silverstream displayed more verve and variety, with their loose forward trio of Osaiasi Manu, Elijah Solomona, and Kingston Hill vastly superior on the day. Hooker Riley Browne ran rampant, and the halves, Axel Daken and Fletcher Cooper, showcased composure and flair. Indeed, it was hard to hold a candle in the cold July sun with Axel in tune. The pint-sized whippet snaffled two turnovers and darted around the Jack Glesson Oval like a Cup prospect at Trentham. Cooper kicked intentionally off both feet to turn around Town. who at times seemed breathless.
Osaiasi Manu, cousin of All Black Peter Lakai, bulldozed over for Silverstream’s first try, breaking away from a maul that resembled Ben Hur’s chariot. This score occurred while Town’s loosehead prop, Connor Maxwell, was in the sin bin for a high tackle.
Hill, who has spent much of the season injured, demonstrated his value by slashing through the Town defence near halfway, with Solomona in support for the routine finish.
Fullback William Davis-Leniz was held up as he twisted toward the try line. From the ensuing dropout, Browne made his mark, powering through the dark blue wall in an epic 40-metre surge that Asafo Aumua would have admired.
Browne’s counterpart, Donncha McNamara-Taele, pulled one back for Town by going low to score. However, a fumble from Town and weak defence at a scrum allowed Corus Taylor-Lefao to score softly, extending the lead to 26-10 at halftime.
Silverstream secured their victory with two quick tries early in the second half. Winger Aston Steere angled toward the posts after a 50-metre rush by Browne, and Solomona benefited from Silverstream’s menacing mauling.
Wing Aston Steere scores early in the second half to make it 33-10 and effectively game over.
When wholesale substitutions were made, the match became disjointed, but Town can take heart from their spirited finish. Winger Ashton Hamer capitalised on a rebounded pass to sprint 40 metres, while heavyweights Ioane Aukusitino, Faimalie Tagoai, and captain Ethan Lepou were energetic and earnest. Winger Hamer and Zack Kimmins simply needed more possession.
Silverstream also retained the Old Boys Cup, a rivalry that started in 1931. Silverstream has 68 wins, 19 losses, and five draws in the fixture.
This match concludes the seventh round set of matches in the Premiership.
It also concludes this winter of midweek matches amongst the four ‘traditional’ schools in Wellington, Silverstream, St Pat’s Town, Wellington College and Rongotai College.
The next ‘midweek’ match on the College Sport Wellington Calendar is Tawa College’s fourth and final Beard Trophy defence of the year against Mana College. This was set for next Wednesday, but it is not down for Wednesday 30 July at a venue to be advised.
There are two rounds to play, this coming Saturday 19 July and Saturday 26 July, before the semi-finals on Saturday 2 August and the Final on the weekend of 9/10 August (date and venue to be advised).
Wellington Premiership First XV competition standings after today’s concluding seventh round fixture is (points in brackets):
1st: St Pat’s Silverstream (34)
2nd: Wellington College (30)
3rd: St Pat’s Town 26
4th: Rathkeale (23)
5th: HIBS: (21)
6th: Wairarapa College (14)
7th: Scots College (11)
8th: Rongotai College (9)
9th: Tawa College (7)
10th: St Bernard’s College (5)
This Saturday’s eighth round draw is:
- Rathkeale College v St Bernard’s College, Rathkeale 12.00pm
- Wairarapa College v Hutt International Boys’ School, Wai Coll, 12.00pm
- Wellington College v Tawa College, Well Coll, 2.30pm
- St Pat’s Silverstream v Scots College, Silverstream, 2.30pm
- St Pat’s Town v Rongotai College, Evans Bay Park, 2.30pm
Meanwhile, the Premier 2 Murray Jensen Cup competition had a top-of-the-table fixture this Saturday at Silverstream at 2.30pm between Hutt Valley High School and the St Pat’s Silverstream Second XV.
