Wins for Wellington Maori and Wellington City in Festival matches

Wellington Maori won the inaugural Festival competition by beating the Wellington Samoans and winning their third straight game and Wellington City defeated Wellington Suburbs in today's two matches at Hataitai Park.

City too good for Suburbs

The Wellington City team proved too strong for a Suburbs side that were completely out-classed in the first half.

However in the first five minutes of the contest, some careless passing from the City backline saw Paremata-Plimmerton fullback Ryan McLean saunter in for the first five pointer of the afternoon. Jackson Garden-Bachop kicked the easy conversion and Suburbs had a 7-0 lead.

However, basic mistakes and ill discipline saw the tide turn.

Greg Mullany would kick a penalty and Nemani Waaka would score a try shortly after. Waaka's try exposed an alarming hole in the Suburbs defence.

City led 10-7 after the added Mullany conversion and the momentum was with them for the rest of the half.

With 20 minutes gone, Mullany would score again and convert his own try. This was followed by Ories winger Andrew Ellis evading a few would be tacklers and darting down the right hand touchline to score an easy try.

By this stage City led 22-7 and it got worse for Suburbs.

Local Axemen hero Tony Smith would score a length of the field try at Hataitai Park and the Suburbs defence was non existent.

Suburbs got one back just before halftime with big Ben Tupuola crashing over close to the posts. Garden-Bachop would add the conversion.

City led 29-14 at the break and it looked like a long way back for Suburbs.

The second half was a lot tighter than the first with both sides' defence up to the task. Remarkably, no points would be scored until the 70^th minute mark.

A Mullany penalty would ease the scoreline out to 32-14. Although Suburbs scored two late tries to Taniela Manu and Philip Finau, it was too little too late for Suburbs to snatch victory.

City's outstanding first half was the catalyst in their win.

Wellington City 32 (Nemani Waaka, Tony Smith, Andrew Ellis, Greg Mullany tries, Mullany 3 cons, 2 pens) defeated Wellington Suburbs 28 (Ryan McLean, Ben Tupuola, Taniela Manu, Philip Finau trys Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 cons). Crowd: 100.

Maori defeat Samoans????????????????????? ???????????

The Wellington Maori remained unbeaten throughout the Wellington Festival of Rugby series as they defeated the Wellington Samoan side, winning 32- 22 at Hataitai Park.

In overcast conditions, the Samoans started well. A Jack Taulapapa box-kick caused havoc at the back for the Maori as they allowed the ball to bounce. Right winger Isaia Petelo swooped onto the ball and ran hard for the line. He was held up just short but the ball was fed out wide and Petone winger Belgium Tuatagaloa dotted down for the first of his two tries, the result of an overlap outwide.

However, poor discipline from the Samoan forwards allowed the Maori to creep back into the match. Sharpshooter Randall Bishop kicked two penalties and the Maori led 6-5.

Keanu Moran scored for the Maori just before halftime to extend their lead to 13-5 with an added Bishop conversion.

There would be a flurry of tries in the second half.

Belgium Tuatagaloa would score his second try out wide to put the Samoans just one point behind with a Fa'atonu Fili conversion.

Then the Maori extended their lead.

Tawa's Ezra Fermanis and Maori captain Apa Heemi would both score in quick succession. Bishop added the extras and with 15 to play, the Maori led 27-12.

Ryan Setefano would score for the Samoans to bring the score line to 10 points. The conversion was unsuccessful which proved costly as Wellington Lion Sheridan Rangihuna, fresh from being on the bench last night would score a try that would put the result beyond doubt with 5 minutes to play. The Maori bench were jubilant as they knew how much it meant to defeat this quality Wellington Samoan side.

Quick hands out wide saw Kalim Kelemete score his first try in Wellington Samoan colours but it was merely a consolation.

The Wellington Maori became deserved winners of the Wellington Festival of Rugby tournament.

Wellington Maori 32 (Keanu Moran, Ezra Fermanis, Apa Heemi, Sheridan Rangihuna trys. Bishop 3 cons 2 pens) defeated Wellington Samoans 22 (Belgium Tuatagaloa 2, Kalim Kelemete, Ryan Setefano tries? Fa'atonu Fili con). Crowd: 200.