St Pat’s Silverstream miss out in the Manawatu mud

Palmerston North Boys’ High School 17 (Matene Ruawai, Brayden Iose tries; Stewart Cruden 2 con, pen) beat St Pat’s Silverstream 5 (Chris Aumua try)

The St Pat’s Silverstream First XV was taken down 5-17 by Palmerston North Boys’ High School in a Palmerston North quagmire in their annual Traditional fixture today.

It is the third year in succession that the local school has won this match, which has been contested since 1934.

Recent heavy rain had turned the home school’s home ground into a sea of mud, making for a difficult contest for both sides.

Visitors Silverstream started in encouraging fashion when fast hands by lock forward Aisea Mafileo created a try for wing Chris Aumua in the corner. The try went unconverted and the visitors led 5-0.

Palmerston North responded when their blindside flanker Matene Ruawai barged over for a converted try to make it 7-5.

Silverstream second five-eighth Kienan Higgins then missed two straightforward penalty shots, ultimately proving costly, as Palmerston North’s lineout jumpers climbed into their work dominating their battle and pinching at least three opposition throw-ins.

Just before halftime Silverstream lost their openside flanker Mitchell Bull- Elvines to the sin-bin for an early tackle as Palmerston North broke away. The home side’s first five-eighth Stewart Cruden, younger brother of All Black Aaron, kicked a penalty to make it 10-5 at the halftime interval.

The second half was dominated by penalties, especially for players losing their feet on the heavy surface.

Silverstream turned down a kickable penalty, which they would later regret. Then, with several minutes to play, Palmerston North’s No. 8 Brayden Iose scored a try after a fumble by Silverstream in their own 22.

Cruden’s conversion made it 17-5 and there was no coming back for Silverstream in an arm-wrestle of a contest with few constructive chances created by either team. Although not for a lack of trying by Palmerston North who attempted to played expansive rugby but were bogged down at the breakdowns.

For Palmerston North, No. 8 Iose, hooker Teariki Te Puni and blindside Ruawai were standout combatants, while Silverstream No. 8 Iona Apineru, lock Aisea Mafileo, wing Aumua who is the younger brother of NZ U20 hooker Asafo, and halfback Callum McLaughlin all toiled hard.

The loss for St Pat’s Silverstream continues their poor recent record in away games in this annual contest. Since 2002, Silverstream have won just twice in the Manawatu.

Of note, former St Pat’s Silverstream player and Scottish international Blair Cowan presented the jerseys to their players pre-match and also donated a jersey to the school. Cowan is back in New Zealand for a short time, ahead of his own upcoming wedding.

Both schools have plenty to play for in their respective First XV competitions. Palmerston North are winless in the tough Super 8 competition and this Saturday play Tauranga Boys’ College.

Silverstream meet St Bernard’s College in their penultimate round WelTec Premiership match.