Wesley College victorious in CNI rugby

Wesley College has two exhilarating wins under its belt after bagging victories on the field.

The 1st XV won the Central North Island rugby competition after a clash against Feilding High School, with a score of 32-28.

Principal Steve Hargreaves said the match, held earlier this month, was a nail-biter.

‘‘We scored a try in the last play of the game to win 32-28.

‘‘We were down 28-11 earlier in the second half and then scored three converted tries.

‘‘We really were in the last play of the game. Then the school streamed onto the field and performed the haka which was pretty exciting.’’

He said it was a vast improvement from last year’s result.

‘‘We were invited to it last year and we finished fifth and were quite disappointed.

‘‘This year we aimed to win it, the majority of this side won the U-15 national tournament - they are a very good side.’’

He added the team’s captain Tupou Vaa’i, who has signed a contract to play in the Taranaki NPC next year, was the one to help turn around the game in the second half. Vaa’i was also named named most valuable player of the tournament.

‘‘He’s really humble and a genuine young man, and he scored two tries that got the momentum going.

‘‘It’s been a really long tough season and the boys have played incredibly well and it’s exciting to win...The whole school was buzz- ing this week, it’s really lifted the spirits of the whole campus.’’

Ronan Lawrence scored the winning try, while Brent Tucker, Thomas Manase, and Kalapu Palelei also had stand-out games.

Brent said he was ecstatic about the team’s achievement.

‘‘It means a lot because it’s only our second year in the competition.

‘‘We are bringing history to the school so it means quite a lot to the boys and the school.

‘‘We played with a lot of heart and a lot of passion, and we just wanted to create history.’’

The team is coached by Chris Bean and his assistant coach Lawrence Lawrence.

Earlier in the month the 1st 13 league team played in the SAS College Rugby League premier plate final at Mount Smart.

They won the golden point in extra time, thanks to Larenz Tupaea’s dedication, to take out the game 17-16.

Ronan Lawrence, Brent Tucker and captain Tupou Vaa’i were part of the Wesley College 1st XV which won the Central North Island 1st XV rugby competition.