St Pat’s Silverstream win U15s Sevens title

St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream have won the College Sport Wellington Under-15 Sevens title at Naenae College today pipping Scots College 17-14 in the final.

Scots appeared to be the most impressive team in the field amassing more points than any other school in pool play. However they were rundown by Silverstream with the last play of the tournament.

Trailing 14-10, Silverstream’s Albert Polu busted two tackles and dramatically dashed 65-metres to score under the posts.

Polu along with Kienan Higgins had initially scored for Silverstream, but Scots were deserving leaders after two outstanding tries. Malo Manuao escaped three attempted tackles in his own 22 and Sage Shaw-Tait collected a precise but unexpected chip kick from Caleb Cavubati in a near length of the field efforRongotai College won the Bowl beating Wellington College 24-21 in the decider. The lead changed hands four times, but eventually the potent Siatua Anesi proved to be the difference. He scored his second try when he scorched past two Wellington defenders, close to the sideline, before cutting back in field and touching down under the posts.

Silverstream cruelly denied Rongotai a place in the semi-finals. In pool play Rongotai led Silverstream 14-5 deep into the second-half. Tries were scored by Mitchell Gough and Steven Va’a. Silverstream Captain Polu crashed through the defence to reduce the defect to four, before Stanley Paese crossed on fulltime following slick handling.

Anesi was a standout for Rongotai. He scored three tries in their first game against Aotea College whose late rally would prove curial as it tipped Rongotai out on points difference.

Wainuiomata College (2014 runners-up) and St. Pats Town were the other semi-finalists. They clashed in pool play and Town always led eventually winning 22-14. Two brilliant solo tries by Dante Kakhi reduced the damage for Wainuiomata.

Earlier against Wellington College, Kakhi snatched an intercept and spirited 40-metres to open the floodgates in a tight match. Hard-working forward Mututehapi Puketapu scored two of Wainuiomata’s five tries.

Meanwhile Town’s Keelan Whitman practically beat Wellington College on his own scoring three runaway tries.

Scots College scored 15 tries in pool play. The bulky frame of Isaiah Peachey collected doubles in both games and Ezekiel Fiso and Thomas Woods were a hive of activity.

Taita College’s Misinale Misa impressed. He scored two great tries against Naenae College and achieved a 60-meter runaway against Scots and always threatened with ball in hand.

Naenae’s Rolo Siu scored the try of the day. He circled through a crowd of defenders near his goal line and sprinted diagonally towards the corner. He fended off multiple retreating defenders and despite stumbling still completed a 90-meter solo.

Naenae was also the source of the day’s most amusing and unfortunate moment.  They legally kicked-off against Aotea College who were still warming up, gathered the ball and predictability scored a try against no defenders. Later they penalised for having eight players on the field.

An eventful day where timing was everything.

Pool Play
Rongotai College: 27 v Aotea College: 17
Wainuiomata College: 29 v Wellington College: 7
Taita College: 33 v Naenae College: 12
St. Pats Silverstream: 38 v Aotea College: 7
St. Pats Town: 22 v Wainuiomata College: 14
Scots College: 42 v Taita College: 12
St. Pats Silverstream: 15 v Rongotai College: 14
St. Pats Town: 29 v Wellington College: 12
Scots College: 50 Naenae College: 0

Finals
8 v 9: Aotea College: 25 v Naenae College: 7
Bowl SF: Wellington College: 24 v Taita College: 12
Bow SF: Rongotai College: 59 v Aotea College: 5
Cup SF: St. Pats Silverstream: 31 v Wainuiomata College: 7
Cup SF: Scots College: 29 v St. Pats Town: 5
Bowl Final: Rongotai College: 24 v Wellington College: 21
Cup Final: St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream: 17 v Scots College: 14