Wellington College and Christchurch Boys? HS finish all square after late equaliser

Wellington College and Christchurch Boys' High School have drawn their inter-island First XV clash 19-19 this afternoon.

Home side Wellington College used their get out of jail free card to score a late converted try to even the match up, chancing their arm and breaking out from their own 22 through fullback Hugo Philips, leading to a try to hooker Jimmy Hewitt after a penalty and an attacking scrum under Christchurch's posts.

The result was the fifth time in the past six matches that these schools have finished within a point of each other, following their consecutive 15-14 scorelines in this match in 2012 and 2013.

An improved Wellington College had much the better of the first half against a flat Christchurch side that was coming off a hard-won one point victory over Nelson College on Saturday.

Wellington College right wing Etene Gucake flashed in for two well taken tries in front of the scoreboard to put his side ahead 12-0. Both tries came from pressure put on Christchurch's lineout, where Wellington College lock Brad Forster had a strong game, and from box kicks at the base of rucks that were re-gathered.

A more clinical Wellington College could have put the visitors away at that point, but handling errors that plagued much of their performance in their 12-24 loss to St Pat's Silverstream last week crept in.

Similarly, Christchurch's scrum improved and they strung some phases together, leading to a key try for them just before halftime, after a Wellington dropped ball at the back in the difficult, stroppy wind.

From the set-piece, popular centre threequarter Tui Samuelu swooped in to score untouched to close the gap to 12-7 at halftime.

Christchurch topped up their tanks at the interval and continued to trouble Wellington at scrum time and out wide where superior pace stretched Wellington several times. Second five-eighth Fraser Scott showed good penetration and captain and openside flanker Sean Rossiter was often in support.

They missed a chance to equalise through a charge-down that was knocked on over the line by right wing Chris Whitley and through a penalty and kick into the corner that went dead in-goal, but finally broke through and centre Samuelu scored his second try. Fullback Josh McKay added the extras and Christchurch were now ahead 14-12.

This quickly became 19-12 when replacement loose forward Jesse Houston was rewarded for a busy second half, scoring in the same scoreboard corner as three of the other four tries up to that point.

These First XV matches invariably finish with a twist, and this was no exception, Wellington College breaking out and scoring late to tie the contest up.

Neither side will pour over the highlights reel of what was a generally messy game in tough, windy conditions, and will now move on to their respective weekend fixtures.

Christchurch, with a record of eight straight Press Cup victories and a points for and against record of 248 and 57 thus far, host strugglers Waimea College.

Wellington College's local Premier 1 competition campaign continues on Saturday when they play high flying Scots College in round five. Defeat to Scots would push them out of touch of the leading contenders with just two rounds remaining after this.

Meanwhile, St Pat's Silverstream have continued their winning ways, lowering St Bede's College, Christchurch, 31-19 after leading 19-9 at halftime.

Scores:

Wellington College 19 (Etene Gucake 2, Jimmy Hewitt tries; Tamati Havraki-Tyrell 2 con) drew with Christchurch Boys' High School 19 (Tui Samuelu 2, Jesse Houston tries; Ben Chippendale con; Josh McKay con). Ht: Wellington College 12-7.

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