Wins for Wellington Development, Pride and U20 teams

Above: Wellington Pride fullback Katarina Simpkins scoring early in the second half as part of her side's 49-3 win over Taranaki today at the Petone Recreation Ground.

UPDATED: There were wins today for the Wellington Development side over Canterbury Development, for the Wellington Pride over Taranaki Women and for the Wellington U20s over the Taranaki U20s, while the Wellington U18s missed out to their Taranaki counterparts.

Wellington Development defeated Canterbury 37-33, the Wellington Pride beat Taranaki 49-3, Wellington U20 defeated Taranaki U20 17-10 and Wellington U18 lost to Taranaki U18 17-25.

The Wellington Development XV came back from a 16-20 halftime deficit to beat Canterbury Development four tries to three in their match on neutral soil at Renwick, near Blenheim.

Four individual players scored Wellington’s tries, with No.8 Ian Kennedy, left wing James Kusel, fullback Hayden Whelan and replacement wing Jeff Makapulu all crossing the line. First five-eighth Brandyn Laursen converted all four tries and kicked three first half penalties for a 17-point return.

Kennedy scored Wellington’s only try of the first half, while all three seven-pointers in the second half were scored by outside backs to seal a strong all-round performance for the Wellington side.

Wellington now has a week off before meeting the Bay of Plenty Development side in Taupo in a fortnight.

The Wellington U20s won in extremely difficult conditions in Inglewood, south of New Plymouth.

In driving rain and wind, the U20s kicked three first half penalties through the boot of second five-eighth Tyler Tane and led 9-3 at halftime.

Tane kicked a fourth penalty in the second half and right wing Andrew Ellis scored a decisive try to see off the home side, giving the U20s a 17-10 win.

Forward power and the boot of first five-eighth Lizzie Gouldon carried the Wellington Pride to a 49-3 victory over Taranaki in blustery conditions at the Petone Recreation Ground.

The Pride’s strong set-pieces were the cornerstone of their opening competition win against winless Taranaki who had no few answers for the Pride’s physical, direct style of play as the Pride won six tries to nil.

Gouldon’s kicking off the tee was top drawer, the pivot kicking five penalties and two conversions for 19 points, while her kicking in play with the wind pinned Taranaki back inside their own 22 on several occasions.

It all started up front where the scrum was dominant throughout and the lineouts supplied a steady stream of attacking ball for the forwards and midfield backs to increasingly pick holes in the defensive line.

Captain and loosehead prop Muteremoana Aiatu led from the front, while lock Jackie Patea was outstanding and No. 8 Aimee Sutorius and starting hooker Patsy Schwalger both also had big games.

After an opening exchange of penalties, the Pride’s scrum provided for the opening try. The Pride pushed Taranaki off their own ball and went wide to right wing Helena Lawrence who scored a neat try in the corner.

The second try came after a turnover near halfway and a raking touchfinder into the same corner by Gouldon. Nabbing Taranaki’s lineout ball, the Pride went wide and Sutorious scored from a subsequent lineout drive on the far side. Gouldon’s sideline conversion put the Pride ahead 21-3 after half an hour.

Gouldon kicked her third penalty of the first half on 40 minutes and the Pride led 24-3 at the turnaround.This was followed by another Gouldon penalty, extending the lead to 27-3, before fullback Katarina Simpkins ran scored after another attacking scrum for the first of four second half tries.

With a Taranaki player down in the sin-bin, weight of numbers sent replacement hooker Sharleen Fagalilo over for the Pride’s bonus point try.Constant pressure then led to two quickfire tries late in the match to skipper Aiatu and left wing Brenda Collins to complete a comfortable win. All of the last three tries were scored in the same grandstand corner of the field.

The Pride’s next match is at home next Saturday against the Counties Manukau Heat.

Ill-discipline and the committed play at the breakdowns by the visitors cost the Wellington U18s victory against their Taranaki U18s at Ngatitoa Domain.

Led by Francis Douglas Memorial College No. 8 Blake Barrett and marshaled by his FDMC teammate and halfback Logan Crowley, the fired up Taranaki loose forwards were all over Wellington like a rash, leading to two Wellington forwards being sin-binned for separate incidents.

Taranaki exploited the 13-man Wellington side by scoring two tries, which extended their lead from 7-0 to 19-0.? Wellington came back to score a seven-pointer before the break and trailed 7-19 at halftime.

Wellington scored two further tries in the second half, but New Plymouth Boys’ High School first five-eighth Daniel Waite closed out the contest by kicking two monster penalties with the wind at his back.

For Wellington, captain Henry Stowers had another strong game and scored a try, while another of Wellington’s try scorers, replacement back and St Pat’s Silverstream’s Chase Tiatia had a big impact off the bench.

The U18s who have now had a win and a loss in the Hurricanes U18 competition, play their final round-robin match next weekend at Westpac Stadium against Manawatu. The 5.15 pm match will be the curtain-raiser to the Ricoh Wellington Lions versus Auckland ITM Cup match.

Scores:

Women’s NPC Round 4. Wellington Pride 49 (Mutremoana Aiatu, Aimee Sutorius, Brenda Collins, Helena Lawrence, Katarina Simpkins, Sharleen Fagalilo tries; Lizzie Gouldon 5 pen, 2 con) beat Taranaki 3 (Kate Broadmore pen) HT: 24-3

At Renwick: Wellington Development XV 37 (Ian Kennedy, James Kusel, Jeff Makapelu, Hayden Whelan tries; Brandyn Laursen 3 pen, 4 con) beat Canterbury Development XV 33 (Scorers TBC). HT: 16-20

Hurricanes U20 competition: Wellington U20 17 (Andrew Ellis try; Tyler Tane 4 pens) beat Taranaki U20 10 (Scorers TBC). HT:9-3.

Hurricanes U18 competition: Wellington U18s 17 (Henry Stowers, William Tufui, Chase Tiatia tries; Josh Robertson-Weepu conversion) lost to Taranaki U18s 25 (Scorers TBC). HT: 7-19.

Hurricanes U18B competition: Wellington Centurions 51 beat Horowhenua Kapiti U18 0.

Hurricanes U20B competition: Wellington U18 Samoans 20 beat Horowhenua Kapiti U20 16

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