Mudlarks Scots College pip Wellington College by a point in WelTec Premiership

Scots College has joined St. Pats Silverstream as the only unbeaten team at the halfway point of the WelTec Premiership First XV competition after a gripping 14-13 away win over Wellington College in heavy mud. 

Scots dogged defence was a major reason for their success as they repelled a barrage of attacks inside their 22 for the last 10 minutes and Tommy Prescott, Manahi Tipoki and Tai Neli pulled off try saving tackles in the second-half to perverse the visitors slender lead.

Initially, Scots was the first to cross the chalk when wing Jack Gray charged down a kick and won the race to the ball.

However, Wellington soon gained the ascendancy in the territorial dispute and was ahead at halftime following two tries. Loose Forward Mellenniumma-Gerrad Leota’s try, following a sizzling break by first-five Oliver Paotonu was especially eye-catching.

Naitoa Ah Koi typically plays lock, but with Taine Plumtree and Ben Strowger-Turnock also jumping in the lineouts, Wellington wasn’t short of tall timber.

Scots spent much of the second-half in retreat, but the industry of prop Moala Katoa and flanker Isaiah Peachey ensured Scots ventured forward occasionally. Early in the second-spell wing Caleb Cavubati crossed the line and second-five Malo Manuao converted for a 14-13 lead.

Wellington was left to rue four missed kicks, but will likely meet Scots again this season as they play three of the bottom four teams to finish a round-robin that has generally lacked games of this competitiveness and quality.

In the other fifth round WelTec Premiership matches St Pat’s Silverstream, Rongotai College, and St Pat’s Town all posted well-heeled wins.

Silverstream assumed the sole lead in blanking Tawa 57-0, Rongotai beat minnows Hutt Valley HS 43-8, and Town found the artificial turf to their liking in beating a disappointing Kapiti College 46-0. The remaining match was closer affair, with Porirua notching their first win in seeing off Wairarapa 31-24 at home after being down 17-24.

In Premier 2 there were wins for Hutt International Boys' School over Wellington College's 2nd XV (15-11), Bishop Viard College over Naenae College (21-10), Aotea over Taita (56-7) and St Bernard’s over the St Pat's Town 2nds (17-15).

In Premier 3, Mana College beat the Tawa College second XV (41-7), Upper Hutt defeated Wainuiomata HS (17-12), Onslow College beat Paraparaumu College (32-3) and Newlands College and the Scots College second XV drew (10-10). 

Next weekend’s sixth round matches are:

• Kapiti College v Wellington College
• Wairarapa College v St Pat’s Town
• Scots College v Rongotai College
• St Pat’s Silverstream v Hutt Valley High School