In the 134 years of rivalry between St Pat’s Town and Wellington College it’s unlikely the capital's oldest schoolboy rugby fixture as ever produced the drama that unfolded in the 133rd meeting between the two sides at Wellington College this afternoon.
Down 19-0, and reduced to 14 players after 20 minutes, Town remarkably rallied to win 31-26.
The winning try was scored with about three minutes remaining when reserve forward Liam McAree busted through the hosts defence at halfway and strode away like an antelope to propel the visitors into their only lead of the match.
Earlier it took Wellington 20 minutes to venture past halfway, but despite this obstacle Wellington scored the first three tries of the match.
The first score was a penalty try after Town second-five Sanele Aukusitino deliberately slapped the ball out when Wellington looked likely to cross.
Aukusitino was yellow carded for the offense and a short time later a Town player was red carded for an off the ball incident, one of two red cards that was to be handed out before the 70 minutes wss up.
Predictably Wellington assumed control and established an apparently comfortable lead with tries to wing Kalin Letoa and prop Filemoni Sului.
It was No.8 Keelan Whitman that inspired Town’s revival. An offload in the grasp of two defenders created a try for blindside Josh Mallon and then a storming 30-metre burst saw wing Jeremiah Lokeni dash clear.
Wellington regained the ascendency with 15 minutes to go, their fourth try making the score 26-12 .
However Whitman continued his devasting form scoring a Lomu like try from 30-metres out to close the gap to 26-17.
With about eight minutes left Lokeni propped up on the right wing to complete his double and make it 26-22. Boston Christie dramatically nailed the sideline conversion to make it 26-24 setting the stage for McAree’s heroics.
It’s the first time since 2015, St Pat’s Town has won the fixture and their 46th victory overall. Wellington has claimed 80 wins while there have been the five draws stretching back to 1885. The last draw was 3-3 in 1984, the first year the Centennial Shield was awarded for the encounter.
Speaking at the after-match captain Whitman captured the drama succinctly when he laconically quipped, “What a game, like far.”
The match was for the Williment Trophy after the laste great Wellington and All Blacks fullback.
The two teams have this coming weekend off as the remainder of the second round Premiership matches take place on Saturday. Wairarapa College host St Pat's Silverstream, Porirua College hosts St Bernard's College, Rongotai College welcomes neighbours Scots College and Kapiti College travels to play HIBS.