Notorious Col Comeback Sinks Town

Fulltime in a rollercoaster traditional, ending with Wellington College defending their line and protecting a five-point lead. Photo: Andy McArthur.

• By Adam Julian

Wellington College rallied from 26-12 down to retain the Centennial Shield for a sixth consecutive time with an engrossing 31-26 victory against St Patrick’s College, Wellington (Town).

This fixture has underwhelmed as a spectacle in recent seasons but in 2026 there were more turns than a John Grisham novel. For drama, it matched the Keelan Whitman “What a game like far” encounter in 2018, which Town ironically won by the same score.

After eight tries and three lead changes, the winning moment came in the 63rd minute. Down 26-24, the hosts launched an attack from a lineout inside the Town 22. Captain and second five-eighth Ben Faitala speared through an initial blue wall and, with three right-foot side steps, left the Catholics crumbling.

“Yeah, Na, it was pretty hectic,” Faitala said afterwards.

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Influential replacement Joe Barry converted from under the sticks, meaning Town had to score a try to draw – something they nearly achieved. Town slogged ahead with 126kg tighthead Donncha McNamara-Taele as difficult to contain as at the outset. Thrust, wriggle, tackle, congestion mounted until multiple bodies tumbled over the try line. Appeal, referee consultation, pause, no try, game over, the Wellington College terraces erupting like Arsenal supporters in North London after the English Premiership was settled this morning.

“Very proud of my boys; lots of things we need to tidy up,” stoic Town captain Remy Fitisemanu reflected afterwards. “Gotta watch that penalty count,” the 29-game, 100kg No.8 ruefully added.

For much of the second half, Town leaked penalties faster than Moa Point Sewage. That ill-discipline, combined with impact from the Wellington bench, flipped momentum on its head.

Earlier, besides a fourth-minute try to Wellington openside Isaac Davey-Tiotio created by deft Z’kdeus Schwalger handling, it was turbo-charged Town dictating terms.

With a combined pack weight of 864kg, 343 First XV games, and 17 Year 13s, Town was confident, mature and dynamic. Blindside Nelsson Tiumalu was hellbent on destruction, and the trio of Decodah Silva, Gia Johnston and Seth Young had Wellington scrambling with a flurry of breaks and offloads.

Tries to Charlie Carter after 11 minutes, Fitisemanu after 17 minutes, and Zack “Zoom” Kimmins in the 27th minute with two conversions by Silva propelled Town to a 19-5 halftime lead.

The interval allowed Wellington to regroup and they returned with steely focus, employing their scrum and lineout to accumulate penalties. Silva was sinbinned and undermanned Town was unable to prevent loosehead prop Julius ‘Caesar’ Toimata from crossing on the wing.

In a case of divine intervention, Town scored next from a Wellington free-kick. Wellington dispatched the ball from their 22 to Town. A lazy clearance from the visitors took a deflection, meaning everybody was onside. Suddenly, Fitisemanu, who was 25 metres behind the play, gathered possession at halfway and supplied halfback Anaru Siohane-Hune, who gleefully strode clear.

Most traditionals would be done and dusted with a scoreline of 26-12 after 47 minutes. However, Town couldn’t stop bleeding penalties as Wellington’s reserves sparked a resurgence. Barry judged the brisk northerly to perfection, and substitute flanker Connar Gregor lived up to his “Notorious” nickname by first scoring a try and then providing the last pass to fullback Tom Hughson. Schwalger produced a display that might pique the interest of the New Zealand Schools selectors, while Faitala grew increasingly ominous.

Since 2017, the Wellington Premiership has seen a disturbing 217 matches decided by 20 or more points. Hopefully, this stirring opener creates a new benchmark. Maybe defending champions St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, won’t have everything their own way in 2026.

The referee was Ethan Jefferson. Wellington has won the Centennial Shield 86 times, with the last of Town’s 47 wins in 2020. There have been eight draws.

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The remainder of the Premiership and the Second XV championship gets underway this weekend, games below.

Premiership Draw Round One (at the home school unless stated):

Wednesday 20 May

• Wellington College v St Pat’s Town, Evans Bay Park, 12.30pmSaturday 23 May
• Wairarapa College v St Pat’s Silverstream, 12.00pm
• Rongotai College v Rathkeale, 1.00pm
• Scots College v Mana College, 2.30pm
• St Bernard’s College v Hutt International Boys’ School, 2.30pmPremier 2 Draw Round One (at the home school unless stated):
• St Pat’s Silverstream 2nd XV v Wellington College 2ND XV, 11.30am
• Paraparaumu College v Kapiti College, 11.30am
• Porirua College v Tawa College, 1.00pm
• Aotea College v St Pat’s Town Second XV, 1.00pm
• Hutt Valley High School v St Pat’s Silverstream 3rd XV, 2.30pm