RUGBY
Wairarapa College moved back into semifinal contention in the Wellington Secondary School Premier Championship with a hard-fought 20-14 defeat of St Bernard’s College on Saturday.
Waicol led 12-0 at halftime with tries to nippy halfback Le’Sharn Paku, and second-five Junior Mila. St Bernard’s closed the gap to 12-7 before a Cohen Scott penalty, and a try to No. 8 Mitchell Shields from a kick charge down gave Waicol a 20-7 lead. St Bernard’s added a late second try, but Waicol held on for a deserved victory.
A win away over Rongotai College on Saturday will guarantee a place in the top four. Even if they win and finish tied with Wellington College, who are one point behind and would need a bonus point victory to draw level, Waicol would progress, having won their round-robin clash.
HOCKEY
St Matthew’s unbeaten run in the Manawatu Intercity Secondary School Girls Division One came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Feilding High School, while Waicol scored the only goal in a tense battle with Whanganui Collegiate. St Matt’s, Waicol and Feilding are locked in a three-way tie for the lead. St Matt’s are away to Tararua College, and Waicol take on Palmerston North Girls High School tomorrow night.
In boys’ division one, Waicol went down 4 – 1 to Palmerston North Boys High School [PNBHS] 1st XI, and Rathkeale were beaten 3-1 by Feilding. Rathkeale play PNBHS 2nd XI, and Waicol meet Feilding tomorrow night, with both games at the Trust House Wairarapa Hockey Complex.
Comvita Kia Kaha maintained their unbeaten record in the Wairarapa Hockey Men’s Championship with a 4-0 win over JNL. Gladstone Bulls were 8-3 victors over Old Boys, Tremains Red Star edged Dalefield Dodgers 5-3, and Carterton Vets trounced Featherston 13-0.
Women’s division one leaders Gladstone Gold suffered their first loss of the season, going down 4-2 to Dalefield, and Comvita Kia Kaha were too good for Featherston, winning 6-1.
Wairarapa Mitsubishi triumphed 4-2 over Featherston Force, Coasties had a 2-0 win over Gladstone Heifers, Featherston Foxies got the better of Eketahuna Tuis 3-0, and Property Brokers were 2-0 winners over Martinborough in women’s division two.
FOOTBALL
Rathkeale are fourth equal in the Wellington Secondary School Premier Championship after their 3-1 loss to St Patrick’s Silverstream. They play third-placed St Patrick’s Town tomorrow night at Trust House Memorial Park with a spot in the top four on the line.
Waicol lead and are the only unbeaten team in division one after their 3-2 victory over Heretaunga College. A win away to Aotea College on Saturday would almost assure Waicol of top seeding for the semifinals.
Thirty-one and counting is the unbeaten streak for Carterton Redbacks, who had to work hard to keep their perfect record with a 2-1 defeat of Progressive Engineering Masterton Athletic in Wairarapa Football Division One. Property Brokers won the Greytown club derby 2-0 over Tremains, and DV Skulls were 6-3 victors over Douglas Villa Drake.
Masterton Ziggy’s Glass Presidents defeated McAuleys Masterton 5-2, and Douglas Villa Cams Flooring and Featherston United Property Brokers fought out a 5-5 draw in division two.
Wins in division three went to Martinborough 8-0 over Evergreens, Greytown The Offering 3-1 over Carterton, and Greytown Umbrella Group Spartans, who were too good for Carterton Goal Diggers, winning 4-2.
