Matchday Scoring Highlights: Wellington U20s v Manawatu U20s

The two teams met in fine, breezy conditions at Rugby League Park on Saturday in round two of the 2026 Central Region Shield competition.

In a close match, it was 5-5 at halftime, with Wellington scoring early and Manawatu replying soon after. Both sides missed chances to move further ahead in the first half, both with late chances that were kept out near the line.

Manawatu went ahead 10-5 early in the second half and were playing well. But Wellington rallied and started to wrestle control in the forwards exchanges and at the breakdowns where they won several penalties that gave them momentum to kick for the corners and score off the resulting set-piece attacks. Following a try under the posts to openside flanker Elijah Solomona to re-take the lead, they scored three consecutive tries through their set-piece attack inside the 22.

Match highlights below:

The win means that both teams are 1-2 in the three-week competition, but Hawke’s Bay will be in the box seat to win their first title since 2012 if they secure a solitary bonus point from their match against Manawatu this coming weekend. Wellington play the Hurricanes Heartland U21s.