Silverstream hailed in win over Rongotai

St Patrick's Silverstream have claimed a resounding 42-0 win against traditional rivals, Rongotai College, in front of home support in testing conditions this afternoon.

The winter weather turned up in full force at Silverstream with chilling southerlies and hail-storm's to boot, however, it did little to dampen St Pat's determined demolition.

It was clear that the team with the better forward pack would prevail, early scrums suggested that Silverstream would have the ascendancy as they overpowered their opposition and dictated possession and territory stakes.

St Pats' five-eight, Nic Mannix, put in an astute performance and added the first points of the afternoon by way of a penalty. Try-scoring machine Salesi Rayasi, bagged his first of two tries early into the fixture which Mannix assuredly converted from the sideline, impressive considering the unstable surface.

The home team lost their structure in patches as both teams failed to play the appropriate wet weather rugby at times. Simplicity was the key and Silverstream finally found that answer.? Centre Jarrod Adams showed his class and influence with a double before halftime after some crisp passing and powerful fending, despite being slowed down by the bog.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much to write home about where Rongotai was concerned, despite strong efforts from a handful of players. Blindside flanker, Tukia Purcell, was particularly impressive in a losing effort and poured his heart into the game for its entirety. Props, AJ Leau and Lauina Faatu, added size and power but the war of attrition took its toll.

The second half painted a similar picture to the first, despite the other half of the field getting a hammering this time. Lui Luamanu set the tone with a 60 metre run from the kick-off. Strong carries all game by Luamanu and prodigious no.8 Joe Apikotoa, set the platform and the points continued to flow.

Nic Mannix showed his class with a tactically perfect and weather appropriate grubber for Rayasi's second try. Daniel Schrijvers grabbed the next after Rongotai attempted a kick to clear their line but was charged down by the home team. Schrijvers put in his usual solid performance, one his older brother Hayden would be proud of, donning his former number 7 jersey from seasons past.

The match became loose once the ground continued to decline and was a scrappy affair to say the least. Classy touches from Hardy Seleni and Paie Ngaroi for Rongotai couldn't stem the flow, hard work for a backline when your forwards are going backwards.

A special mention must go to Silverstream fullback Ben Lewis who has had limited time for the 1^st XV but produced a strong and tidy performance at the back.

Late tries to Luamanu and Apikotoa were just desserts for the two quality players yet goal kicking became near impossible from out-wide in the conditions.

The Stream machine rolls on.

St Pat's Silverstream 42 (Salesi Rayasi 2, Jarrod Adams 2, Daniel Schrijvers, Lui Luamanu, Joe Apikotoa tris; Nic Mannix 2 con, 1 pen). Rongotai 0. HT- 22-0

Where to now?

Silverstream now remain firmly atop the premier 1^st XV competition in Wellington.

After solid wins against HIBS and Naenae College, Rongotai were brought back down to earth and look set to finish sixth or lower.

The quarter-finals series on 26 July will see 1st v 8th, 2nd v 7th, 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th, followed by seeded semi-finals after that.

Rongotai's final round-robin fixture at Wellington College on Saturday looks another hefty ask as Wellington College are desperate to qualify for the quarter-finals in the top half of the field.

One would assume that Wellington College should prevail on Saturday and leapfrog a strong HIBS team who will be up against it being hosted by Scot's College who battle for the top spot with St Pat's Silverstream.

Silverstream venture to St Pat's town for their traditional on the 23rd. Assuming the ladder-leaders win that fixture, they will secure top billing and bragging rights going into the business end of the season.

So where does that leave us?

Well regardless of results in the final round, Silverstream and Scot's share the top two places.

St Pat's town look firmly fixed to third spot with some impressive results of late.

HIBS and Wellington will throw everything into their, potentially, final games of the season. It's a simple formula for both; win you're in the leading four, snooze you lose.

Hard to imagine a Wellington College side not playing at the back-end of a season but perhaps the ascendancy of Scot's and HIBS suggests a new dawn in Wellington 1^st Xv rugby.

Wins for Wellington College and St Pat's Town today

In two other matches of significance today involving Wellington schools, Wellington College beat Nelson College 5-0 in the final of the annual Quadrangular tournament, played at Wanganui College. The halftime score was 0-0.

In the playoff for third and fourth, Christ's College defeated Wanganui Collegiate 6-0, after leading 3-0 at halftime.

On Monday, Wellington College beat Wanganui 31-10, after leading 12-3 at halftime in the wet, while Nelson College beat Christ's College 19-6.

St Pat's Town defeated Francis Douglas Memorial College 30-10 in their Traditional in New Plymouth. St Pat's trailed 7-10 at halftime but ran away with the match after the interval taking the game to their Francis Douglas counterparts and unsettling their composure.

St Pat's Town won both the Hibernian and Tully Graham Cups in the process, and reversed their defeat to them at home last year. The win was their seventh win in eight Traditionals in 2014.

The school also retained the Dillon Walsh Memorial Trophy for their 65-5 win in the U15s match.