St Pat’s Town edge Wellington College in tight battle at Evans Bay Park

Wellington College's place on the WelTec Premiership's cloud nine has ended today following a down-to-the-wire 15-11 loss to St. Patrick's College Wellington.

The hosts were able to retain the Old Boy's Centennial Shield and beat Wellington College for the first time in consecutive years since 1989 in blustery conditions at Evans Bay Park -  but it didn't come easily for them.

St. Pat's scrum was the key factor in the opening stanza, driving Coll back repeatedly and resulting in numerous penalties, using this to camp in Wellington College's half. Town knocked it on while attacking the line but off the ensuing scrum they were able to drive Coll off the ball which number 8 Kevin Fauatea picked up a rumbled over for the game's opening score.

Following the Fauatea try, Coll began to find rhythm. St. Pat's conceded four penalties in their own half but the wind made kicking conditions difficult with Wellington College halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara missing two penalty shots at goal. However, it was third time lucky for Hauiti-Parapara who slotted a 30-metre kick to put Wellington College on the scoreboard at 3-5.

Carrying their momentum into the second half, Wellington College almost immediately had the chance to go back in front through the boot of Hauiti-Parapara following a ruck infringement from St. Pat's but it strayed to the right.

The yellow and black forward pack continued to March on though. With the ball secured at the back of the scrum at half way, Hauiti-Parapara ran down the right hand blind and linked up with winger Jayden Williams who was taken down on the 22. Quick ball was recycled out to the backs who got it all the way out to the left flank which saw Connor Fuli finish off a great deuce of back plays, making it 5-8 to Wellington College.

However, Wellington College's celebrations were short-lived. Off the ensuing kick-off the ball was knocked on. Possession changed sides two times within 15 metres of Wellington College's line but Coll weren't able to clear their line. Town regained possession and first five-eighth Paul Bickle scored to get the hosts back in front.

Wellington responded shortly after, again, getting the ball into the hands of Fuli who made a good burst down the left flank. Play came to a stop in Hauiti-Parapara's kicking range who slotted his second penalty of the day.

St. Pat's influential number 8 Kevin Fauatea was sin-binned shortly after following a string of offside and ruck infringements but Wellington College failed to capitalise. With 10 minutes to go St. Pat's managed to pin Wellington College in their own 22 and off a scrum 20-metres out, using a hefty blind side, Paul Bickle ran straight and with intent to score a great solo try to see his side regain the lead.

With the crowd now alive, chants of "I believe that we will win," rung out of the sea of blue on the Evans Bay Park bleachers but the game had a long way to go yet. The ruckus turned to silence as centre Jimmy Patrick used his pace to split St. Pat's defence on his own side of half, only to be brought down by a great covering tackle by wing John Tuia.

Wellington College were now 30 metres out and continued to wriggle their way forward after a long string of phases and penalties. St. Pat's openside Jack Nelson-Murray made a try-saving play when he stripped the ball out of prop Sitiveni Paongo's grasp but the clearance kick was charged down. There was a mad scramble for the loose ball just a few metres out from St. Pat's line which Wellington College knocked on.

More drama followed as St. Pat's were awarded a penalty which was kicked into touch for a line out on their 30 metre line. Wellington College lock Adam Blackwell stole the line out ball, giving Coll another crack inside St. Pat's territory. Again, Wellington College slowly made their way into St. Pat's 22, this time opting to attack through a grubber kick. Patrick put it onto his toe and gave chase, with several players from both teams diving on the ball in-goal. The referee confronted his assistant and the ruling was no try - 22 metre drop out.

St. Pat's opted to go for a short 22 metre drop out which went horribly wrong with Blackwell snatching the ball up, giving Wellington College one last crack at St. Pat's line. This time Wellington College were unable to make into St. Pat's red-zone, knocking it on seconds after gathering the ball. As the referee blew for full time, a tirade of boys in blue blazers stormed the field as a drained Wellington College team lay down thinking 'what if?'

Despite getting yellow carded, Kevin Fauatea was St. Pat's biggest factor in winning the 131st traditional between the two colleges. He ran the ball ruthlessly and was damaging on defence.
He was helped out by prop Penieli Poasa whose favourite game was to roll over the first man in a black jersey who got in his way.

Bickle was a standout for St. Pat's backs with his two tries and his outside, Willie Schutz was handy with a few good runs.

Wellington College's forward pack's motor came in the way of Sitiveni Paongo whose ball running got them over the advantage line nigh-on every time.

Hauiti-Parapara was good at organising his troops and got his backs the ball efficiently, to the good of Connor Fuli who, today, scored his fourth try in two games.

Both teams will look forward to a weekend off while the remaining Premier One teams resume battle this weekend. St. Pat's Silverstream take on Wairarapa College, newbies Tawa College have an encounter with Hutt International Boys' School and Rongotai College challenge Scots College for the Moascar Cup.

Scores:

St. Pat's Wellington 15 (Kevin Fauatea, Paul Bickle 2 tries) beat Wellington College 11 (Connor Fuli try, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 2 pens). HT: 5-3.

Follow College Rugby here