Silverstream win well in Traditional at Wellington College

Above: Silverstream openside flanker Josh Svenson running away to score his side's second try of the second half and the match winner, giving the visitors an unassailable 20-6 lead with about 10 minutes to play.

St Pat's Silverstream stole the show at Wellington College this afternoon, beating the home side 25-11 in the biggest midweek First XV fixture of the season in Wellington so far.

Silverstream out-scored Wellington College four tries to one, pulling away in the second half and scoring three consecutive tries. Wellington College scored a consolation at the end.

Silverstream showed more composure and confidence, winning the key moments of the match, early in the first half after they had their lock Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu sent to the sin-bin for a foot trip and again early in the second when Wellington College's most dangerous player, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, was sin-binned in front of his posts.

Down to 14 players themselves, Silverstream only conceded three points to Wellington College who had their tails up throughout much of the first half.

Holding an 8-6 lead early in the second spell, Silverstream had Wellington College stretched when Asofa-Solomona was shown yellow and now Wellington had to defend with a man down.

Instead of opting for an easy three points, Silverstream instead chose to attack through their scrum. This went rewarded when replacement hooker Asafo Aumua scored a decisive try and fullback Josh Roberston-Weepu added the extras to give them a 15-6 lead.

Composure turned to confidence, Silverstream running in two further tries, stretching their lead to 25-6 with five minutes left. Openside flanker Josh Svenson burst through, followed by his replacement Daniel Shrijvers who scored to the rapturous applause of his schoolmates on the terrace.

Earlier, Silverstream's starting halfback Luke Coulston was the star of the first half. His break virtually from the opening kick-off leading to the first points of the match, a penalty to fullback Josh Robertson-Weepu.

Coulston then scored a key try right on halftime, following up a kick and chase by Robertson-Weepu after the latter fielded a kick in centre field, turned and spun and saw space at the back.

Wellington College first five-eighth Pakaitore Turia had kicked two penalties to give his side a 6-3 lead, but they failed to capitalise on a wealth of early territory and a one-man advantage. Their tactics of throwing deep in the line outs was ineffective and they let themselves down with a cluttered midfield attack.

Wellington College broke down the left wing side and Silverstream lock Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu foot tripped a Wellington attacker. Okeamoa-Luamanu was sin binned for 10 minutes, but was lucky to stay on the field.

Silverstream spent the following ten minutes camped on their line, but Wellington only kicked a penalty as outstanding Silverstream defence keeping Wellington restrained.

Wellington Openside flanker Greg Morgan had the best chance to create a try, while Silverstream was down a man.

Moragn roared down the right wing touchline, in a 30-metre burst, but failed to locate three unmarked men on the outside.

When Silverstream was resorted to a full complement of players, they started to gain an edge at the breakdown and Coulston's try just before the oranges was good reward.

The last try scored by Daniel Schrijvers, created by a deft Jack McCormick kick, was a highlight of the game and caused a brief crowd invasion from delirious Silverstream supporters.

Silverstream's tighthead prop Joe Apikotoa had a storming game, as did replacement front rowers, try scorer Aumua and replacement prop Joel Hintz.

Asofa-Solomona and James Blackwell were the best performed for the home team.

For Silverstream, it was their biggest win against Wellington College since their 26-3 win in 1986. They also made it back-to-back wins over Wellington after prevailing 6-3 in last year's Premier 1 final.

They regained the Ken Gray Memorial Trophy, after Wellington College won this corresponding match last year.

The match also doubled as a Premier 1 First XV round four match, Silverstream taking a bonus point to remain unbeaten at the top of the table at the halfway point of the round-robin. Wellington College will likely slip back to third behind Silverstream and Scots College after this coming weekend's remaining matches. Scots play winless Porirua College on Saturday.

Scores: St Patrick's College, Silverstream: 25 (Luke Coulston, Asafo Aumua, Josh Svenson, Daniel Schrijvers tries; Josh Roberston-Weepu 1 con, 1 pen) Wellington College: 11 (Nelson Asofa-Solomona try, Pakaitore Turia 2 pen)

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