Bumper day of First XV rugby today

Competition frontrunners St Pat’s Silverstream showed why they are clearly the team to beat in Wellington while Porirua College enjoyed an emphatic win over Tawa College in two WelTec Premiership fixtures in two competition games played this afternoon.

In Nelson, Wellington College finished third in the Quadrangular tournament.

Elsewhere, Taranaki school Francis Douglas Memorial College defeated Lower Hutt’s St Bernard’s College.

Nelson College retain Moascar Cup and win annual ‘Quad’

For the first time since 2001 the Quadrangular final didn’t feature Wellington College. It was Nelson College who won the 91st tourney, defeating Christ’s College 29-7 in the final. Nelson also kept the Moascar Cup which they have now held for 10 defences.

Wellington College did score a consolation win against Wanganui Collegiate. Below is the full scoring from the tournament.

Final: Nelson College 29 (Leicester Faingaanuku 2, Graham Urquhart, Nikora Kanara tries, Faingaanuku 3 con, pen) Christ's College 5 (Lachie Gunson try) HT: 15-0.

3v4: Wellington College 27 (Naitoa Ah Kuoi 2, Tom Maiava, Fergus Murray, Elijah Tuigamalo tries, Oliver Paotonu con) Wanganui Collegiate 5 (Trey Bidois try) HT: 10-5.

RR: Nelson College 24 (Ben Hazlett, Brad Pool, Leicester Faingaanuku tries, Faingaanuku 3 con, pen) Wellington College 5 (Josh Ranui try) HT: 17-0.

RR: Christ's College 13 (Lachie Gunson, Harry Black tries, Ben Dickie pen) Wanganui Collegiate 7 (Finau Nimatasau try, Desmond Tyrell con) HT: 10-0.

Porirua College retain Beard Trophy

Porirua College retained the Beard Trophy and took maximum WelTec Premiership points with a four tries to two 26-12 win at home this afternoon.

A lively Porirua College ran in two tries in each half, leading 12-7 at halftime. Two tries – one either side of halftime – to second five-eighth Junior Time-Taotua proved to be the two telling plays in this match, taking the wind out of Tawa’s sails.

Following a long period pressed on defence, Porirua broke out to score the try of the match to Time-Taotua right on halftime to put his side in to the lead for the first time.

Tawa’s performance was error ridden and they were clearly rattled by Porirua’s more adventurous style of moving the ball away from contact where possible. Tawa’s halfback and captain Kyle Preston – who otherwise had a good game with several sniping runs from rucks – missed an easy penalty that would have closed the gap to 10-12.

Instead, Porirua shot back down the other end of the field and Time-Taotua sliced through for a converted try to make it 19-7.

A fourth try followed to the replacement left wing Mau Tealei, converted by No. 8 Jamie Soapi, put the result beyond doubt with about 10 minutes to play. Tawa replied with a nice consolation try to fullback Jonsey Elekana-Tuuga but it was too little too late.

Earlier, the floodgates had opened at both ends early, with Tawa scoring through hooker Hayden Kuresa from a lineout drive and Porirua replying with their first try to flanker Nash Kemp after a frenetic couple of minutes attacking inside the 22.

Both sides then spent long periods hot on attack taking advantage of sinbinned players, but neither could score. Porirua went close to scoring again on no fewer than four occasions, while down at the other end, Tawa made inroads but let themselves down with a series of unforced errors.

For Porirua, first five-eighth Eli Moata’a, No.8 Sopai and lock Kane Peniata all had industrious games, while for Tawa tighthead prop Maui Tinei-Natano made several bullocking runs in the second spell.

There was a curtain-raiser match at Porirua College today too, with the home side’s girls team beating the St Mary’s College 3rds 76-5.

Silverstream Roll On

St. Pats Silverstream extended their winning streak to ten consecutive games, trouncing Rongotai College 60-0. It was Silverstream’s second biggest win in the annual traditional fixture which stretches back to 1957.

Silverstream settled the contest within 20 minutes scoring four tries, three of them to forwards as Rongotai struggled to match the power and accuracy of the visitors.

Silverstream doesn’t lack speed and flair out wide either and as Rongotai became more desperate the game opened-up and Silverstream crossed the chalk twice more to lead 38-0 at halftime.

To their credit Rongotai provided greater resistance in the second-spell holding Silverstream scoreless for 20 minutes. However, when wing Chris Aumua scored from a set move and then dashed 90-meters a short while later from an intercept normal service reassumed.

For Rongotai College, No.8 Shaquille Fiso never stopped trying and second-five Steven Va'a was able to breach the defense occasionally and nailed Boyle in a classic tackle.

Silverstream scored ten tries in total to: Toalima Anae Laupola, Harrison Boyle, Josh Southall, Stanley Paese, Albert Polu, Fedrick Sunia, Chris Aumua (2), Todd Svenson and Nicholas Apikotoa. Boyle kicked four conversions and Reilly Forbes slotted one.

Francis Douglas Avoid Embarrassment in Lower Hutt

Francs Douglas Memorial College was expected to easily account for St. Bernard’s College, but was given an almighty fright before prevailing 27-24.

The top four Central North Island School required a penalty two minutes from time to secure victory against the Premier II Wellington opposition.

Down 24-17, Francis Douglas scored a converted try under the posts to tie the scores. From the kick-off, the visitors broke into the St. Bernard’s 22 and won a penalty which fullback Jeremy Gopperth chipped over on a slight angle from 25-metres out to regain the lead.

Francis Douglas failed to regather the restart and St. Bernard’s launched a desperate attack which ended with Francis Douglas rushing the ball over the sideline just five-metres short of their own goal line.

The hosts suggested they would be no pushovers early by barging over for the first try. Lock Brad Prichard profited from an excellent clearing kick and strong mauling.

Francis Douglas soon regained the upper hand and led 12-5 at the interval. Wing Chris Balsom and first-five Jacob Kneepkins crossed the chalk with the later twice running 20-plus meters in sweeping counter-attacks.

Francis Douglas played at a lively tempo, but struggled with their handling on a heavy field. This allowed St. Bernard’s to stay in touch and when halfback Lupi Luka darted 15-metres for a try the scores were tied at 12-12.

Francis Douglas introduced Chiefs Under-18 selection Shamus Langdon-Hurley from the bench and he made his presence felt instantly chasing down a kick to score a third try, but Francis Douglas mistakes continued to mount and St. Bernard’s soon hit the front.

No.8 Mika Alaifatu poached an intercept and sprinted 40-metres and then Nathan Stirling outpaced the defense after a series of offloads left Francis Douglas short of cover.

St. Bernard’s discipline wavered towards fulltime and this allowed Francis Douglas the chance to leave the capital with a nervy triumph.

Others to flourish in an enjoyable game were St. Bernard’s first-five Te Aorere Wanoa and prop Xavius Tuita. Lock Jordon Roylance, openside Josh Hopkins and Balsom thrived for Francis Douglas.

Silverstream remain top of the WelTec Premiership with seven wins from seven games. Rongotai appear likely to miss the semi-finals now with only three wins to show for their endeavours.