Sam Smith on the charge for the Wairarapa College first XV. PHOTO/FILE
COLLEGE SPORT
JAKE BELESKI
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As some Wairarapa secondary school teams battle through grading rounds to see what level they will play at in Wellington competitions this year, some are already celebrating success.
The Wairarapa College first XV rugby team has secured its place in the Wellington premier division after two impressive results in grading matches.
In round one they secured a convincing 45-5 win over Tawa College, but things got really interesting in their round two clash with Rongotai College last weekend.
The winner was guaranteed a straight passage into the premier division, but there was added confusion when the match finished in a 22-all draw.
David Fa’atafa, sport manager at College Sport Wellington, said Waicol would not have to continue the grading process this weekend.
“The Wairarapa College first XV have now qualified for the Wellington first XV premiership, and have this weekend off.
“They did draw their game with Rongotai College last Saturday, but qualified ahead of Rongotai as they scored the first try of the game.”
It could so easily have been different for Waicol, as Rongotai now have to play Aotea College today in what is their last chance to qualify for the premier division.
In hockey grading, defending Wellington premier 1 champions St Matthew’s Collegiate have made a strong start to the season.
They have beaten Paraparaumu College and Samuel Marsden Collegiate [both 2-0] and Waicol are also unbeaten in Pool A, having accounted for Samuel Marsden 2-0 and thrashed Paraparaumu 6-1.
In boys’ hockey, Waicol and Rathkeale College played out a 2-all draw in the first round of grading, but both teams lost their round two matches last weekend.
It has been a mixed bag of results for Waicol and Rathkeale in the premier youth football grading matches.
Waicol beat Rongotai 2-1 last weekend, but had their earlier match against Hutt International Boys’ School deferred.
Rathkeale were beaten 2-4 by Rongotai and then suffered a 2-3 loss to Onslow College last weekend.
Today Waicol take on Onslow, while Rathkeale travel to Scots College.
With two rounds left to play after this weekend, both teams still have time to push their case for inclusion in the premier division.
