Feilding beat Francis Douglas in CNI playoff

The Feilding High School first XV locked up third place in the Central North Island competition by beating Francis Douglas Memorial College 26-18 in an exciting game at Feilding on Saturday.

The first half was tight and Feilding led 7-6 at the break, having had a lot of the running, but they only scored one try.

In the second half, Francis Douglas spent a long period on attack in Feilding’s 22, but Feilding put in a massive defensive effort to hold them out.

Feilding then broke out and scored a try when centre Josiah Maraku jumped in at first receiver and put in a cross-field kick for hooker Hunter Aiken to fly down the wing to score.

Aiken was one of Feilding’s standouts along with lock Ben Weeks, but it was second fiveeighth John Lomu who was their best player with his strong defence and big carries, breaking tackles and scoring two tries.

Weeks set up a try when he put in a big fend on a Francis Douglas player then offloaded to flanker Tyler Moeau, who gassed off a couple of Francis Douglas backs.

The game was a lot closer than earlier in the season when Feilding thrashed Francis Douglas 38-0 in New Plymouth.

It is a good warmup for Feilding, who have the Hurricanes coed final against Wairarapa College at the Arena in Palmerston North next weekend.

Star fullback Vilimoni Koroi didn’t play because of an ankle injury, but should be fit for next weekend.

Palmerston North will also host the boys and girls Hurricanes finals, with Hastings’ Boys’ High school playing Wellington College in the boys game and Feilding playing St Mary’s College (Wellington) in the girls.

St Paul’s Collegiate won the Central North Island final for the third year in a row, beating St Peter’s College Cambridge 30-16 in the final in Hamilton.

St Paul’s have won 27 consecutive matches in the competition, which started in 2012.