Catholics chipper ahead of Premiership after big midweek wins

Action from the St Pat’s Silverstream – New Plymouth Boys’ High School fixture this afternoon in which the home team won by a point. In town, St Pat’s Town held off Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Photo: Andy McArthur.

• By Adam Julian

St Patrick’s College Wellington (Town) enjoyed their best pre-season win, rolling Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys’ High School 34-24 at Evans Bay Park this afternoon.

Town made a roaring start with aggressive line speed on defence and urgent, bullying carries. Palmerston North was further rattled by the demanding southerly and slumped to a 24-0 deficit at halftime.

Town’s first-half tries were scored by winger Zack Kimmins, lock Remy Fitisemanu, second five-eighths Gia Johnston, and prop Anesi Taliau.

Seven of Palmerston North’s reserves started in their 31-14 win over St Patrick’s College Silverstream on Saturday. The bench was emptied for the second half and the difference was palpable. Tries to Rudolph Manaia, Micah Steinmetz, and Jonty Skerman closed the deficit to 24-19.

Palmerston North failed to secure a restart and was penalised, resulting in a goal for 26-game first-five-eight Decodah Silva.

With their tails up and Palmerston North overplaying their hand, Town secured victory when Perenise Patu made a wicked right foot side step to slip through. Palmerston North had the last say with a Mitchell-Hopa Paice try.

Palmerston North coach Dan Turnock was impressed by Town completing their big, hard-working pack and solid 10/12 combination. He was intrigued by Silva’s “long boot.” He warned that Town are better than their results suggest. Fitisemanu and second five Gia Johnston were arguably the best on the day for Town.

On Saturday, Town were hammered 64-29 by Hastings Boys’ High School. Before that, they were held to a 33-33 draw by New Plymouth Boys’ High School and were thrashed by Brisbane State High School 56-17. They did beat Super 8 side Gisborne Boys’ High School 35-26. Next Wednesday, Town opens the Wellington Premiership against Wellington College, who on Saturday host National Top Four and Sanix World Youth Champions Rotorua Boys’ High School. Kickoff is at midday.

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, equaled the feat of the First XV’s from 1931 to 1934 and 2008 to 2011 by winning the McDonald Shield for a fourth consecutive year.

In postcard-perfect conditions, the Catholics edged New Plymouth Boys’ High School 34-33.

In the corresponding fixture two years ago, fullback Liam Slight secured Silverstream a 31-30 win with the last penalty kick. Today, fellow fullback Jaxon Ropitini emulated Slight with a successful kick from straight in front, 25 metres out, late in the game.

But wait, there’s more.

Following Ropitini’s three-pointer, Silverstream was penalised shortly after the restart, giving the visitors a chance at victory. Replacement Jack Hurley missed from 45 metres, and Silverstream’s Troy Waldrom caught the ball just in front of the crossbar.

With time expired, the winger chose to run and recycled at his own 22. Halfback Jakoby Marino tried to dribble the ball over the sideline but toe-poked it into the legs of New Plymouth winger Coredae Wipiiti-Boylan. Marino quickly retreated to collect the ricochet. The ball bobbled in Marino’s skid and scoop. Did it go forward or sideways? There were two movements to conceal before the release attempt. New Plymouth piled in, insisting it was a penalty infringement 15 meters out, directly in front of the sticks.  Referee Scott MacLean disagreed, ruling New Plymouth’s winger was offside to begin with, and Silverstream held on.

Silverstream’s failed clearance was the last of a comedy of second-half errors. Comfortably ahead 24-12 at halftime, Silverstream botched two lineouts in the first five minutes after the break, conceding two tries and the lead. The first try was a penalty try for a high tackle on New Plymouth captain and hooker turned flanker Nate Werder that also resulted in a yellow card. The next blow saw Werder get his name on the scoresheet eventually, mopping up a fumble.

Leading 26-24, New Plymouth was penalised for being off their feet a metre short of the Silverstream line. Wipiiti-Boylan also stepped in touch near the corner flag. Frenchman Bastien Lallemand peppered the northeastern corner with the authority of a local. Vice-captain and lock Brody Leicester was a commanding presence. Loose forwards Jai Meyer, Bryant, and Werder gradually out hustled their larger opponents.

Still, it wasn’t enough. Silverstream’s only try of the second half was a faultlessly executed rolling maul that might have exhausted the credit on a snapper card. Hooker Jahvaan Hunt scored it. An hour earlier, he did the same thing to open the scoring. His father, Tui, and his uncle, Josh, are Upper Hutt Rams centurions.

Down 31-26, New Plymouth regained control with a try to replacement prop Ratu Qiokata and a third conversion for Lallemand but were left to rue missed opportunities.

Earlier, when Waldrom skittled aside several tackles and surged 25 metres to make it 12-0 after 10 minutes, things appeared comfortable for Silverstream.

Perhaps complacency set in, and after three penalties, New Plymouth shoved over for their first try to prop Eroni Kito. Bryant was sin-binned in the 25th minute, and stunningly, New Plymouth went coast to coast with a sweeping left-right movement finished by breakneck Blake Nicholls. The lock went 45 metres. He could have gone up Mount Egmont!

Waldrom’s threat loomed large. Another searing break sent New Plymouth scrambling and sprightly Ropitini over the chalk; 17-12. Disruptive openside Donald Mar doubled that advantage from, guess what, a rolling maul.

Silverstream used its size effectively to create holes. Ryder Thompson is robust and relentless. In Waldrom, they have a genuine flyer. New Plymouth were tactically astute for most of the second half, showed some spark out wide, but lacked killer instinct when it mattered most.

Three of the last seven matches between these schools have been decided by a solitary point. Silverstream trails New Plymouth 35-56 in all matches between the traditional rivals, so it should treasure its fortuitous escape. Brutally, New Plymouth now enters the Super 8, the competition that has produced more National champions than any other since its inception in 1998.

Earlier, Silverstream beat NPBHS 33-19 in the 2nd XV contest.