Feilding fall in final to St Paul’s
The Feilding High School first XV fell agonisingly short of the Central North Island title yet again.
Feilding lost 24-17 to St Paul’s Collegiate in the final in Hamilton on Saturday, the second year in a row they have lost a tight decider, having lost 32-28 to Wesley College last year.
Feilding were up 3-0 early on, but then St Paul’s scored two tries to take a 17-10 lead into halftime and were up 24-10 in the second half.
Feilding scored late in the game to make it 24-17 and they were on attack, but couldn’t break down the St Paul’s defence, Feilding coach Justin Lock said.
‘‘We didn’t play our best footy, but St Paul’s were pretty good defensively,’’ Lock said. ‘‘They attacked our ball, held us up, slowed it down and took it off us. We couldn’t get our attack going.’’
Midfielders Josiah Maraku and Faleseu Tauailoto were strong again and hooker Adam Thomas played well.
Feilding play Wellington’s Aotea College in the semifinal of the Hurricanes co-ed knockout competition in Feilding this weekend.
Wairarapa College beat Manawatu¯ College 38-27 in their Hurricanes co-ed knockout game.
In other school rugby, the Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XV finished their season with a 43-21 away loss to Hastings Boys’ High School in their Hurricanes qualifier for the national top four.
Boys’ High put in a solid performance, but didn’t have the firepower of Hastings. Hastings led 17-14 at halftime.
Young No 8 Elyjah Crosswell, midfielder Darel Lander and hooker Flyn Yates all stood out.
The Manukura girls first XV have qualified for the Hurricanes final against the winner of the Wellington competition by beating Feilding High School 17-14 at Feilding.
The muddy conditions slowed Manukura’s sharp backs down, but their forwards also put in a strong defensive effort. Flankers Plum King and Jasmine O’connell and halfback Lucy Brown were strong.
They will play Wellington’s St Mary’s College to decide the national top-four finals qualifier.
Manukura also won the Manawatu¯ girls’ title by beating Feilding 36-0 at Ongley Park last Wednesday.
The Manukura boys first XV won the Manawatu¯ premier 1 schools final 28-3 against Hato Pa¯ora College at Bill Brown Park, Palmerston North.
The Manawatu¯ Development XV men’s side won their final pre-season hitout, 31-7 against Wairarapa Bush at Dannevirke.
Manawatu¯ led 14-7 at halftime and while still lacking combinations, their defence was strong.
Manawatu¯ are away against Wellington Ma¯ ori this weekend.
The Manawatu¯ Cyclones
women, short of their schoolgirl players, were upset 32-25 by a physical Hawke’s Bay in Napier in their final pre-season game.
Locks Nicole Dickins and Rachael Rakatau worked hard, lock-cum wing Jessica Pease played well, as did Ruci Malanicagi, who played out of position at halfback, and first five-eighth Corrineke Windle.
The Manawatu¯ under-19
team lost 12-3 to the Heartland under-19s at the Arena in their qualifying match for the national championship. Heartland scored two tries in the first 25 minutes, which Manawatu¯ coach Shane Ratima put down to the only two defensive errors.
Manawatu¯ play Hawke’s Bay in Palmerston North this weekend.
Horowhenua Ka¯piti lost 56-28 to the Waikato Development team at Taupo¯. Horowhenua Ka¯ piti start the Heartland Championship against Mid Canterbury at Foxton on Saturday.