Wellington College beat St Pat?s Silverstream in Premier 1 final

Above: members of the Wellington College team celebrating with the trophy after their 25-22 win over St Pat’s Silverstream in this afternoon’s final

Wellington College were singing in the rain at Porirua Park this afternoon after beating St Pat’s Silverstream 25-22 and winning the 2013 Wellington Premier 1 First XV title.

In a knife-edge final in front of a packed and raucous grandstand , Wellington College first five-eighth Pakaitore Turia was the hero of the day, landing his sixth straight penalty with about 10 minutes to go to give his side victory.

Their challenge not over, St Pat’s Silverstream, through fullback Josh Robertson-Weepu, had two late chances to equalise but missed both.? attempts.

A draw would’ve been enough for top qualifier Silverstream to retain their title that they won in similar conditions in last year’s final.

Turia’s winning penalty was his sixth consecutive penalty at goal. He also added the conversion of his side’s only try of the match, to No. 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, that was scored in the first half.

Turia’s 20-point haul earned him the Player of the Match award.

Wellington College had also played 10 minutes of the second half with Asofa-Solomona in the sin-bin, during which time Silverstream scored their only try of the match that put them ahead 22-19 at that stage.

Wellington College now goes on to contest the Hurricanes region First XV semi-finals, against the winner of Tuesday’s match in New Plymouth between Francis Douglas Memorial College and Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

For Wellington College, it was their 12th title. It was also their fourth win in eight days, following victories last Saturday against Scots College in the semi-final and during the week at the annual Quadrangular tournament over Christ’s College and Nelson College.

Wellington College captain James Blackwell was delighted with the win, and praised sharpshooter Turia and his coaches for getting them to the final.

“This win is awesome for all of us, “ he said afterwards, “Pakaitore kicked great today and it was great reward for us for putting in all the hard work.”

“Our coaches have managed us well this week, with extra recovery sessions after our Quadrangular week and it worked for us today.”

Blackwell paid tribute to Silverstream for a tough final.

“After beating us earlier in the season [25-11] and setting the benchmark all year we knew they were going to be tough. At no time did we think we had the game won they played well out there.”

Blackwell was a key player in a hungry Wellington College pack, fellow lock Ben Tuiomanufili and hooker Leni Apisai also standouts.

The final kicked off in mild conditions but in steady drizzle. The first half was largely a messy affair as both sides conceded far too many penalties at the breakdown and in their offside lines.

Silverstream fullback Robertson-Weepu opened the scoring with two well-struck penalties, but Turia replied to make it 6-3 to the Streamers.

Robertson-Weepu kicked his third penalty and the defending champions were ahead 9-3.

Wellington College then scored a try when Asofa-Solomona spun over from close range and Turia converted to put his team ahead 10-9.

Turia (2) and Robertson-Weepu traded further penalties and Wellington College went into halftime leading 16-12.

Silverstream were unlucky not to have scored their first try late in the first half when No. 8 Nesse Solia kocked over the line from a 5-metre scrum.

More penalties saw the score advance to 19-15 in favour of Wellington College early in the second half, when Asofa-Solomona was sent to the sin-bin and Silverstream scored a try soon after.

Attacking swiftly off an attacking lineout, Robertson-Weepu kicked ahead into the in-goal for Jarrod “Rampage” Adams to score from. The former kicked the conversion and Silverstream led by three.

Turia evened up the ledger at 22-22 with his 5th penalty and the contest remained on tenderhooks.

Robertson-Weepu missed the first kick of the day by any kicker, but Turia made no mistake as Wellington College went ahead 25-22.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Robertson-Weepu lined up his seventh penalty of the afternoon, but sliced it wide and Wellington College held on to win.

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Scores:

Wellington College 25 (Nelson Asofa-Solomona try; Pakaitore Turia 6 pen, con) beat St Pat’s Silverstream 22 (Jarrod Adams try; Josh Robertson-Weepu five pen, con). HT Wellington College 16-12.

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