Waicol’s Dylan Tava beating the Paraparaumu College defence in a game played in Masterton on Saturday. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
COLLEGE SPORT
CHRIS COGDALE
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RUGBY
Wairarapa College withstood a second-half come-back from Paraparaumu College to qualify for the Wellington secondary schools First XV premiership with a 22-17 victory at Waicol on Saturday.
The home side, which led 22-0 at halftime, were forced to make several changes because of injuries and illness.
Poor discipline crept in during the second half, and Waicol conceded numerous penalties and struggled for possession.
Coach Jonathan Tanner said the team showed good determination to hold on.
“Our outstanding player was our captain Tama Bartlett, who started at lock and finished at flanker. He was phenomenal on defence and pulled off several cover tackles to save tries,” he said.
Waicol face a tough start to the championship, away to the powerful Scots College on July 25.
Rathkeale wrapped up their preparations for the Central North Island championship with a 31-21 victory over Napier Boys’ High School Second XV in Napier.
Wiremu Bartlett, Cody McGlashan, Shane Colton, and Jayden Webb-Milner scored tries as Rathkeale went out to a 26-0 halftime lead. Oliver Hewitt crossed for Rathkeale’s only second-half try.
HOCKEY
The Trinity schools have early bragging rights after victories over Wairarapa College in the first round of the inter-city championships at Clareville on Friday night.
St Matthew’s Collegiate made the most of a fast start to lift the Dunce Cup with a 5-3 win in the girls’ First XI clash.
St Matt’s went out to a 3-1 lead after eight minutes, and although Waicol fought back, they couldn’t bridge the gap.
Rathkeale won the Annear Cup 3-1 in a typically physical clash between the boys’ First XIs.
Michael Caldwell broke the deadlock with the first goal late in the second quarter, before Waicol equalised in the third quarter.
Further goals to Caldwell and Flynn Register in the fourth quarter sealed the win for Rathkeale.
FOOTBALL
Rathkeale and Wairarapa College remain on target for the Wellington secondary schools premier championship after Saturday’s games.
Rathkeale withstood some early pressure from Tawa College but pulled away in the second half for an easy 7-0 victory at Rathkeale.
Oskar James scored a hat-trick, while Ollie Vincent [2], Noah Boyce, and Harrison Dudley scored goals.
Rathkeale will play Paraparaumu College in a sudden-death playoff game on July 18.
Waicol didn’t have to take the field to earn their three points, with Hutt Valley High School defaulting.
Waicol will play their final qualifying match, also on July 18, against Tawa College.
