A disappointing 36-22 loss to Petone sees our Premiers in sixth place and out of semi-final contention but in the early game at Petone our S1st’s kept up their charge to the semis with a good win over Petone and continue to lead the grade! All other grades including the Juniors were cancelled but Premier College Rugby was played with a win for Scots and a loss for Rongotai.
Keep an eye out!
Last week’s newsletter brought you the news of selection in The Wellington Lions for Mark Reddish. Motu Matuu and Julian Savea and with Ma’a possibly also turning out at some stage our greatest representation in many years but these are not our only ITM players. Manu Leiatauas’ move to North Harbour had paid dividends and although his club Mahurangi had a poor season finishing ninth out of tenth Manu has been selected at hooker in the North Harbour squad! Down south Paula Kinikinilaus’ shift to Otago has paid handsome dividends. With a strong season for his Alhambra Union club Paula was selected for Thursdays’ starting lineup in Otago’s last hit out before the ITM competition starts next Friday, when they defeated Tasman 27-15 and expect to see him featuring in Otago’s starting lineup next weekend.
David Tua watch out!
Ories Centurion and part time boxer Johnny Sola in action - in the RED
Soon the club season will be over but only for 15s’. That means our attention shifts to 7s’ and it is in 4 or 5 stages. The first stage is our defence of The Localpoint series on September 11th and 18th at Porirua Park. Following this a squad will be selected to attend The Singapore 7s’ which take place on Nov 6th and 7th. January 22nd and 23rd we hope to attend The World’s Hottest 7s’ in Darwin then in February is The Ambassadors Cup for Wellington 7s’ supremacy. We are seeking applications from
7s’ Coaches and Managers
If you want to be part of this please email your details to us here at
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. Initially we are looking for Coaches and Managers for teams attending the Localpoint Series which will probably be two Senior teams and a Colts team and it is envisaged that the Coach and Manager for Singapore will be responsible for the organization of Localpoint teams. If we are successful in attending Darwin it is further envisaged that this team will have a different Coach and Manager and as many different players as possible to give every player the chance to experience an international tournament.
Applications close August 1st
We have a proud record in 7s’ – more NZ reps than any other Wellington club, winners of The SCC 7s in 2001, multiple winners of the Localpoint Series and Ambassadors Cup- lets’ make 2010 another great one in 7s’!
TRACER CONSTRUCTION PREMIERS V PETONE
A frustrating game for our players, coaches and supporters at Petone Rec on Saturday in sunny conditions with a slight southerly blowing. Petone kicked off with the breeze behind them and after 3 minutes had an unconverted try which seemed to galvanize our Premiers into action. For the next 30 minutes Petone were pinned in their half as Ories launched raid after raid on Petone’s line but were denied time and again by staunch defence. After 35 minutes Petone were awarded a penalty on half way, kicked it out a few metres from our line, won the lineout and drove over for a converted try over and it was 12-0. Ories went back on attack and just before half-time a penalty on Petone’s 10m line was converted for a 10-3 lead to Petone at the break.
Petone started the second half at a frantic pace and scored 2 unconverted tries in the first 6 minutes to take the score out to 22-3. An injured James Proctor was replaced after this and his replacement Trevor Marama immediately swooped on a wayward Petone pass and scooted 40m to score a try which he then calmly converted and Ories were back in the game at 22-10. Petone came back on attack and from a lineout drive scored a converted try to restore the lead to 19 points. Just after this Petone had a player sin binned which Ories were quick to capitalize on with an unconverted try to Robert Miller after a turnover and a strong break by Julian Savea, then a converted try to Afa Faatau after Julian had fielded a Petone clearing kick on half way near the western touch and scythed through most of the Petone side before passing to Afa who finished with probably his first touch after coming on as a sub and it was 29-22 with 10 to play. Ories then threw everything at Petone but a wayward pass was intercepted by Petones winger who ran 50m and with the conversion it was 36-22. Ories continued to attack for the rest of the game but Petones defence held and the final whistle saw our semi-final hopes gone.
Scorers-Tries to Trevor Marama, Robert Miller and Afa Faatau, James Proctor kicked 1 penalty and Trevor kicked 2 conversions.
TRACER CONSTRUCTION SENIOR 1st V TAWA
Lui reports they didn’t get the four try bonus point win they wanted but with a last minute penalty to the good looking Mau Lolo denying Petone a bonus point and at Petone the boys were cock-a-hoop. Playing with the slight breeze behind them Petone held a 13-7 advantage at the break after a clever try to Jarrod Henry converted by Tomasi Mocevakaca.
Within minutes of the restart Ories had the lead with a converted try by Crazy Horse Michel Pahulu to take the lead but Petone spent a long time attacking only to be denied by fierce tackling by Ories twin terriers Mike Hartley and Michael Pahulu, plus the Petone hooker was throwing most of his balls to Henry Ma’alo jumping at 2 for us. Ories finally broke out and fast hands saw a converted try to Derek Gibbons, then a penalty to Mau Lolo saw the lead extended again at 22-13.Petone threw everything at Ories in the final 5 minutes but after some strong defence on the line Petone were awarded a penalty in front and waved the white flag, electing to take a penalty kick and get a bonus point and it was 22-16. Ories raced up to half way, kicked off and were awarded a penalty on Petone’s 10m line. Mau Lolo calmly stepped up knocked it over and the ref blew full time!
A great result after a slow start and a huge effort from Player of The Day Michael ”Crazy Horse” Pahulu
ALL OTHER CLUB GRADES CANCELLED
RONGOTAI COLLEGE 1ST XV V St PATS TOWN
With the game being postponed from an earlier round, it doubled up as the traditional and our second defence of the Williment Cup. Having had three weeks off due to a last round default by Mana College and the school holidays, it was thought that the three weeks off may have an impact on the boys mental preparation. However, training resumed for those who were still around, but with only 10 boys fronting each time it was hard to keep the momentum up that was built prior to the holiday break.
Coming up against a bigger side, filled with Wellington and Hurricane Schools representatives players, this game was always going to demand the best from us as St Pats, to date, have really set the standard in this years competition.
With the weather the way it was during the buildup, alternative arrangements late in the week had be made to transfer the game to one of the backfields at Rongotai College. However the day itself turned out clear with nothing but a crisp southerly chill to greet the numerous supporters for both teams.
Playing into the wind during the first half, Rongotai came out with the right intention and started well. An alternative restart option had the visitors both confused and struggling to re-form. Through a well-timed kick by Jamie Hargreaves, we gained possession only loosing it soon afterwards due to a poor pass - pressure released! With the southerly a factor, kicking proved not to be the favoured option so the first half saw both teams gain possession and territory through numerous line breaks, Rongotai using their forwards and St Pats through their backs. However, both teams failed to execute and finish off prime scoring opportunities. With the score 0 – 0 both teams went into the half with obvious set things to address.
Before the game I had said to the boys that this game would be won and lost based on their 2nd half performance and unfortunately it was St. Pats who had the stronger restart, regaining possession from the kick-off.
With the wind behind us the second half instructions were not to kick, but if necessary, then direct it wide and into space. An aimless kick straight to, in my opinion, the best returner of the ball provided St. Pats with space to attack which resulted in them scoring their first try. Unconverted, Rongotai attempted to make amends. It was clear that St. Pats had changed their game plan as their forwards were not dominating their opponents unlike their previous games. Through their backs they always seemed to create space out wide but it was poor tackling that gave them their second try.
Trailing 0-10 midway through the second half Rongotai needed to lift their game and leading from the front with numerous covering tackles and valuable meters gained with ball in hand, Ardie Savea once again proved to be an inspirational leader. He was supported well with bollocking runs around the park by Callan Tapine, Tukana Metuarau and Luca Ironside – the forwards proving once again a real strike force. We were able to reply soon after with a try to Tony Smith in the left hand corner. Once again we took the foot of the throttle and let them in for their third try with was converted to give them a 12 point lead with about 10mins to go.
For some reason we perform when the pressure is on, and what always seems to be the case, we raise our effort when we know that our back is against the wall. Faith and perseverance in our moves provided us with our next try with Callan Tapine scoring in the corner from returned throw to the hooker from a lineout move. 10 – 17 with 5 minute to go.
With 5 minutes to play we put the acid on and applied constant pressure on the St. Pats and we managed to work our way back into their 22m. With the last play a lineout 5m out from the St. Pats line we were hot on attack, but needed to score as close to the posts as the best we could hope for at this stage was a draw. For all who were situated around that particular part of the field, they would have seen Chucky Buakula cross over for a try. This unfortunately was unsighted by the referee and ruled held up.
Geographically, 1km separates the two schools but 7 points separated the two sides with the final score reading 10 – 17 to St. Pats.
Justin Gray
SCOTS COLLEGE 1ST XV V St BERNARDS COLLEGE 1st XV
Sponsored by Lexus of Wellington
At the start of the 2010 rugby season the team decided it had 3 goals it wanted to achieve. 1. Compete in the Premier Trophy grade (Premier 1), 2. Knock over a 'traditional' top 4 school and 3. Finish 5th after round robin play. A 'must win' match up saw Scots College 1st XV achieve their 3rd and last goal with a 23 ‐ 0 bonus point victory against St Bernards. The game once again drew a large crowd to the Scots "Field of Dreams" and the team didn’t disappoint. On a field that was water logged the day before, played its part as both teams played in a positive manner and looked to give the ball some width. Scots, on the back of a 18 ‐ 0 victory the week before against Premier 2 leaders Newlands, looked to emulate the defensive display against St Bernards. There is an old saying that "defence wins championships" and we have taken that attitude and applied it to our individual games at the back end of the season. 140 minutes without a point being scored against the team. It is a defensive attitude that we are now able to work on as we look to complete the "coaching jigsaw".
Scots had their 1st points on the board after only 5min when Jackson Garden ‐ Bachop slotted a handy penalty, for what would turn out to be his only kick of the game. This was on the back of good territory gained despite losing the kickoff receipt which put the team under territorial pressure at the wrong end of the field. Scots worked their way into the game with a good defensive effort, this did not allow St Bernards to get over the gain line. Some good time was spent at the right end of the field and Scots were threatening through their back play. Good lead up work by the forwards and some simple catch/pass saw right wing JJ Economu cross for the opening try in the 20th minute. The St Bernards line was breached again 4min later when running from deep in their own territory Scots ran the ball and centre Watisoni Bulivakarua scampered 50m to score. Scots took a 13 ‐ 0 lead into the break.
The halftime break was all about the need to stay patient and build pressure through maintaining the ball and to play at the right end of the park. Although somewhere this message was lost in translation as the ball was once again ran out from a deep defensive situation. Wing James Holden with a nice draw and pass found the inside runner in the 15m channel and Graeme Peter crossed for a try some 80m later with 5min gone. St Bernards were a competitive side and threatened on several occasions, but a committed defensive effort saw promising attacks snuffed out. I have been coach of Scots for 4 years and roughly 80 games, during that time there has been some memorable team tries, but yesterday we were all to witness a miracle try. With 15min to play and a defensive 5m scrum under our posts, Jackson turned to his dad and asked "what shall I do" to which Bash replied "do what you want", so he took a wobbly old ball from half back Paddy Gluck 5m inside is in‐goal area and ran....and he ran.....and he kept running until he crossed the tryline at the other end after having some serious work to do to get there. Brilliant solo effort and so worthy of being our first bonus point try in Premier 1. Finishing 5th now gives the team an opportunity to play St Pats Silverstream for a place in the semi-finals.
The boys are excited about this prospect as they once again take on one of the big 4. Mention must be made of the fantastic support we have had throughout the season from our supporter base ‐ which includes many. From the parents to the local residents who walk through the gate on a Saturday afternoon. Premier college rugby has returned to Scots College after an absence of 21 years and it has been a great ride so far. A whole lot of laughs and only a few stern words has created an environment of which we are very proud
Next Saturday the year 13's can leave a huge legacy for those returning, a victory will see Scots College assured of a place in Premier 1 2011 and a semi final spot. Thanks to the wonderful people who help with our aftermatch functions for our home fixtures. Your efforts are so much appreciated as are the scones.
