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- By Steven White
- Photos by Andy McArthur
St Patrick’s College, Silverstream are back-to-back Wellington Premiership First XV champions.
Silverstream defeated Wellington College 35-14 in today’s final at Porirua Park to complete an unbeaten Premiership season and win their ninth title overall.
It was a cold afternoon with lashings of icy rain blowing down Jerry Collins Park both before and during the final, which suited Silverstream just fine as they established a 25-0 halftime lead and there was no coming back for Wellington College.
Wellington College played with the elements in their favour in the second half only for the rain and wind to die down somewhat and ease away.
They did give themselves and their vocal supporters at the Norths clubrooms end of the ground a chance though, when they came back to score two converted tries midway through the second half.
No. 8 Z’keus Scwhalger and prop Julius Toimata both bustled through to score and first five Archie Sims converted to cut the lead to 25-14 and for a brief period in the decider it was all on.
Silverstream’s defence was outstanding though, led by co-captain and openside flanker Elijah Solomona and others in support like blindside flanker Osaiasi Manu they stopped Wellington College’s momentum.
Silverstream’s inside and midfield backs defence was just as clinical, effectively shutting down flyhalf Archie Sims and forcing him into some rash decisions. Captain and hard-running centre Carisma Faitale was also well contained all much.
Silverstream loosehead prop Heath Tuifao, distinctive in his pink headgear like his older brother and Wellington Centurions flanker Connor, also has a whale of a game and made a number of strong carries.
From 25-14 up, Silverstream were able to pull ahead to 28-14 with a penalty in front of the poles to first-five Fletcher Cooper.
The score stayed that way until a few minutes before the end, when Sims and Wellington College, desperate for a breakout try threw an errant pass inside their 22 and replacement back Teddy Cooling ignited his jets and kicked ahead and poured through to score the match sealing try.
There was no lycra dressed Silviman mascot, nor any chainsaws, nor the photographer that goes by that name, but Silverstream’s supporters at the scoreboard end made the biggest cheer at the end when fulltime was blown and they joined their school mates in support.
Earlier, Silverstream made a terrific start to the final when they attacked from a ruck centre field and spread it left towards the stand where flankers Manu and Solomona were loitering. Manu found Solomona with a lovely pass and the latter burst through to score to make it 7-0.
Silverstream were held up over the line going for their second try, but a subsequent penalty after the goal line dropout was kicked by Cooper and it was now 8-0 midway through the first half.
Next came a penalty and lineout drive in the clubrooms corner of Porirua Park and Solomona soon came up with his second try to make it 15-0.
This was followed by a second Cooper penalty and the lead was extended to 18-0.
If Wellington College weren’t chasing the game at this juncture they were soon after when hooker Riley Browne scored their third try, following a long build-up and then a tap penalty, to make it 25-0 at the turn.
Prior to this change was a flashpoint in the game, with Wellington College attacking vigorously at the other end, but a big turnover at a ruck saw Silverstream get out of trouble and work their way up field for Browne’s try.
Silverstream let Wellington College off the hook in the early stages of the second half with a penalty and kick to the corner for a lineout not finding touch.
This gave Wellington College an opening and they rallied to come back with their consecutive converted tries.
This was Silverstream’s fifth win over Wellington College in finals, now having beaten them in 2000, 2012, 2017, 2024 and 2025.
Since 2017, St Pat’s Silverstream now has had a 13-2 advantage over Wellington College in all matches.
Silverstream move on to play in the Hurricanes knockout series to decide the Top 4 tournament qualifier from the region at the tournament in Palmerston North later this month.
They host Hastings Boys’ High School next weekend in the semi-finals, while Palmerston North Boys’ High School will welcome Feilding High School on to PNBHS #1.
Scoring:
St Pat’s Silverstream 35 (Elijah Solomona 2, Riley Browne, Teddy Cooling tries, Fletcher Cooper 3 con, 3 pen) Wellington College 14 (Z’Kdeus Schwalger, Julius Toimata tries; Archie Sims 2 con). HT: 25-0.
